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By Arthur Peterson 



Collected Poems 
Andvari's Ring 



Andvari's Ring 



By 

Arthur Peterson 



G. P. Putnam's Sons 

New York and London 

Zbc fjnfckcrbocftct press 

1916 






Copyright, 1916 

BY 

ARTHUR PETERSON 






DEC 14 1916 



trbe ftnfclterbocftec press, tlew l^ock 



^CU44679r. 

"Wo I 



NOTE 

The story of Andvari's Ring, of Sigurd and 
Gunter, of Brynhild and Gudrun, has always had 
a strong hold upon the human heart. Centuries 
ago it was a favourite theme of the old Norse 
skalds and saga-men, and in later days many a 
poet, dramatist, and musician has yielded to its 
fascination. William Morris has turned it into 
modern English verse, and Richard Wagner 
has woven from it the mightiest of his music- 
dramas. It has been told and re-told by so 
many people, and in such a variety of ways, 
that no excuse is offered by the writer for adding 
one more variation to the collection. In the 
following poem the hero is depicted as a young 
Norse rover, a wanderer not only by land but by 
sea, this latter innovation seeming to lend itself 
quite naturally to the established legend. The 
action is supposed to take place about the 
middle of the fifth century, that eventful period 
which may be said to mark the end of the an- 
cient, and the beginning of the modern world. 

This ancient story, which is found in its oldest 
known form in the Icelandic Eddas, (collections 

iii 



iv Note 

of prose and verse in the Icelandic, or Old Norse, 
language) , is probably based partly upon nature- 
myths common to the whole Aryan Race, and 
partly upon an actual historic occurrence; but 
when, where, or by whom the tale was first put 
together no one knows. It is found in the 
literature of all the peoples of Northern Europe; 
and it was an especial favourite among the 
Norse races who, after the withdrawal of the 
Roman garrisons, settled in such preponderating 
numbers in Britain. It is natural, therefore, 
that it should be popular among the descendants 
of those races — the English-speaking peoples of 
today. 

The best blood of Norway, Sweden, and Den- 
mark (or what is commonly known as Scandina- 
via) seems to have passed over into the British 
Isles during the long period of colonization (about 
six hundred years) between the fifth and the 
eleventh centuries; not only by direct migration 
and settlement, but by the indirect route of 
Normandy; for William the Conqueror and his 
Normans, though they had French names, 
were probably in lineage at least half Norse. 
By the best blood I mean not so much the best- 
conducted and most peaceable persons, as the 
most energetic, aggressive, daring and adventur- 
ous. And there is little doubt that it is to the 
descendants of these restless, sea-faring spirits 
that Great Britain owes her centuries of mari- 



Note V 

time supremacy and over-sea colonization. The 
English adventurers of the sixteenth and eight- 
eenth centuries were but repeating, on a larger 
scale, the exploits of their ancestors of a thou- 
sand years before; and the long line of ocean- 
heroes, in which Drake and Nelson are perhaps 
the most conspicuous figures, had its beginning 
in the bold Norse rovers who, while England was 
yet in the making, sailed forth upon "the swan's 
road." This idea is touched upon in the chapter 
entitled "Erda's Prophecy." 

An attempt has been made in the course of 
the narrative, especially in the chapter entitled 
*' Sigurd and Gudrun, " and in "The Song of 
Olaf the Red, " to give the reader some idea of 
the beautiful mythology of the Anglo-Saxon 
Race. Though these old gods and goddesses, 
like those of the Greeks and Romans, may no 
longer be worshipped as divine personages, 
yet the names of many of them survive and are 
in constant use in the English language of to- 
day, the original meanings, however, being often 
forgotten. The name of Easter, the goddess of 
Spring, of Hel or Hela, the goddess of the under- 
world, of Tyr, Odin, Thor, and Freya, after 
whom Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and 
Friday are named, the first and second days of 
the week being named in honour of the Sun and 
the Moon, are a few of the many examples which 
might be quoted. Though dissimilar, in many 



vi Note 

respects, to the mythologies of the Greeks and 
the Romans, yet in many other respects the 
Anglo-Saxon mythology bears such a close re- 
semblance to them that one cannot help think- 
ing they originally formed one system, in that 
earlier time when the various branches of the 
Aryan family were one people, dwelling in the 
highlands of Western Asia. 

The Burgundians, with whom the fortunes of 
Sigurd become so closely connected, and among 
whom he finally meets his death, were a Teutonic 
people whose former home had been the country 
between the Oder and the Vistula. They mi- 
grated toward the west and south, and at the 
time of our story were settled in the valley of the 
upper Rhine, in the neighbourhood of Worms. 
The Burgundians afterward passed over into 
Gaul, and the territory occupied by them ulti- 
mately became part of the celebrated Duchy 
of Burgundy. After the death of Sigurd a new 
character appears upon the scene, the celebrated 
Attila; and in his banquet to the Burgundians 
and the execution of Hagen we can discern 
the outlines of a far-oflE historic event. 

The Latin form Scandia has been used 
throughout the poem in preference to the com- 
moner word Scandinavia, it being better suited 
to metrical composition. 



CONTENTS 
BOOK I 

SIGURD 

Prelude . * . . 

I. — Gudrun's Dream . 

II. — The Coming of Sigurd 

III.— The Banquet (Including Sigurd's Narra 
tive) . 

IV. — The Tournament . 

V. — Sigurd and Gudrun 

VI. — In the Odenwald . 

VII.— The Valkyr . 

VIII.— Sigurd and Gunter 

IX. — Yule-tide at the Court of King Gun- 
ter (Including the Song of Olaf the 
Red) . 

X. — In the Garden 

XI. — Gunter's Soliloquy 

XII.— Hagen and Giselher 

XIIL— Hagen's Soliloquy 

XIV. — Erda's Prophecy . 

vii 



PAGE 

3 
4 

7 

14 
67 
75 
83 
88 
98 

102 
126 
131 
133 
138 
140 



viu 



Contents 



XV. — The Death of Sigurd 
XVI. — Beside the Rhine . 
Interlude 



149 
163 
171 



BOOK II 

ATTILA 

I. — Hagen and Andvari 
II. — Gudrun's Lament 
III. — Claudius 
IV. — The Apparition 

V. — Gudrun's Soliloquy 
VI. — Attila and Gudrun 
VII. — Westward Ho 



VIII. — The Hall of Attila (Including Claudius's 
Story) 



IX. — Gudrun and Andvari 
Finale .... 



• 


. 175 


. 


. 182 


• 


. 185 


• 


190 


• 


. 193 


• 


. 195 


. 


. 201 


g Claudius' 


3 


• 


. 204 


• • 


. 229 


• • 4 


232 



Andvari's Ring 



BooK L Sigurd 



PRELUDE 



Sigurd I sing, a son of that dark north, 

Of that wild Scandian mother-land whence 

sprang 
The sea- tost hosts who, in that long ago, 
The bases of imperial England laid: — 
Such as were they, he was — one of that race 
Which ever loved to ride the restless waves, 
Or in grey Scandia, its ancestral home, 
Dwelling, or in the Isles of Britain, where 
Later it throve: men with the eagle's heart, 
Storm-nurtured, calm amid the swirling seas. 
Wanderers upon the deep until this day. 
Sigurd — his birth, his life, his death, I sing. 



II 



And Thou, O Muse, without whose aid divine 
My lips, however willing, must be mute, 
Thee I beseech my numbers to inspire. 
Come Goddess now: I reverently attend. 



I 

GUDRUN'S DREAM 



The fair Gudrun, in her bower beside the Rhine, 
On three successive nights had dreamed a dream, 
Piteous, distressful ; and to Ursula, 
Her mother, good King Dancrat's widowed 

queen. 
She thus, with tears, unburdened her full heart: 



II 



"Dear mother, whilst I slept within my bower, 
On three successive nights to me hath come 
A dream whereof the meaning I know not. 
Piteous, distressful ; for methought I loved 
A white gyrfalcon, more than aught else seemed, 
In the whole world, this gallant bird to me. 
With eyes so bright, and plumage like the snow. 
He from his home in the far north had flown 
Southward to Burgundy; I myself had tamed 
His wandering spirit, and upon my hand 
Content he sat whene'er I rode afield, 

4 



Oudrvixi's Dream 5 

What time the hern we hunted with our hawks. 

But one thrice-sorrowful day, as into air 

Swiftly he rose, sighting his quarry, lo! 

Two eagles fierce, wheeling from out the hills 

In circles vast, inexorable, grim. 

Beset and slew him ; and methought my grief 

Was like the grief of her who loses all — 

Or what seems all when Death hath struck his 

blow — 
The wife her husband or the mother her child." 



Ill 



Then spoke Queen Ursula: solicitude 
Dwelt in her voice, disquiet in her mien : 
**Oft in our dreams the future lives, and thus, 
My daughter, do I read thy vision wild. 
Perchance I read it wrong; but, as thou know'st, 
At Yule-tide was I born, the seventh child 
Of seventh child, and second-sight is mine — 
A power clairvoyant granted by the gods. 
This, then, the interpretation of thy dream: 
The white gyrfalcon is a noble youth 
Whom thou wilt learn to love with all thy soul. 
The eagles fierce two cruel warriors are 
Whose spears shall slay thy lord. Alas, Gudrun 1 
Methinks that by the hand of Skuld herself, 
Who sits beside the ash-tree Ygdrasil 
Gazing upon the future, was dispatched 
This vision, in .whose happenings I discern 



6 Andvari's Ring 

The dread announcement of a deed to come. 
Ruth hath my mother's heart for thee, Gudrun; 
Thy falcon falls before the eagles twain. 
O woeful hour ! As swift-descending storm 
Darkens the day, so shall this murder foul 
Becloud the sunny springtime of thy life. 
Thy lord lies still in death. So speak the 
Norns!" 



IV 



Thus Ursula: and by her mother's words 
O'ercome, upon an ancient couch near by, 
Like broken lily, sank the fair Gudrun. 



II 

THE COMING OF SIGURD 



GuNTER, the king of the Burgundians, gave 
A mighty feast, to celebrate that day, 
Seven years before, whereon his reign began. 
For when his father, old King Dancrat, died. 
Leaving, besides a widowed queen, three sons, 
Gunter and Giselher and Gemot bold. 
And one fair maid, the flower of the land, 

Gudrun, 
Gunter, the eldest, was proclaimed the king. 
And throve his kingdom. For a respite brief 
From battle left men time for kindlier deeds. 
And woods were felled; and fields of waving 

grain 
Covered the land; and towns sprang up anew; 
And trade with Rome, increasing, filled the 

realm 
With Roman gold, and brought to wondering 

eyes 
The silks and jewels of the mystic East. 

7 



8 Andvari's Rin^ 

So in his palace by the Rhine, where dwelt 
A Roman pretor once, King Gunter bade 
Prepare this banquet, to commemorate 
The day his hand first grasped the helm of state. 

II 

That time in summer was it when the days 
Longest and loveliest are, when leafy June 
Mantles the earth, and Gunter 's capital 
(Called by the Romans Borbetomagus, 
And by the men of later centuries Worms) 
Sat, like a beauteous bride, beside the Rhine. 

Ill 

Now on the morning of the festive day, 
While yet the summer sun was low in the east, 
Appeared far down the Rhine, but moving up 
Against the stream, their sails filled by the breeze, 
Three galleys. Them a watchman from his 

tower 
Descried, and to King Gunter brought the word. 
Whence came they no man knew. And now 

the wind 
Carries them nearer, and the morning sun 
Blazons each carven, golden-headed prow, 
And gaily-broidered sail. And lo! within. 
Sitting upon the rowers' benches some, 
And others grouped on forecastle and poop, 
The bold and brawny crews of mail-clad men, 



XHe Coming of Sigxird 9 

Sons of the ocean, with their red shields hung 
Outboard along the gunwales. And to eyes 
That watched the scene the foremost galley 

looked 
A mighty dragon, breasting Rhine's broad flood. 
For her high-arching prow was shaped and carved 
Like dragon's front, with gilded crest upreared 
Above the wave; and all along each side 
The warriors' shields like dragon's scales ap- 
peared ; 
And, looking aft, the high and curling stem 
Ended a dragon's gilded tail in air. 
And of her sister ships a great wolf's head 
Carved out of wood, with grim wide-open jaws, 
One bore upon her bow, the other a bear's, 
Both fancifully gilded. In this wise, 
A gallant sight, were built these galleys three. 

IV 

Then said King Gunter: "Let my men-at- 
arms 
Be ready, but no hostile act disclose. 
Or friend or foe I know not, but methinks 
Peace and not war is in the stranger's heart." 



Now toward the river's bank each galley turns, 
And soon the sails are lowered, and in a cove 
Near by the vessels rest; and from the side 



lo Andvari's Gixi^ 

Of one, the largest galley of the three, 
Whose prow a gilded dragon's front displayed, 
Is thrown a gangplank to the river shore; 
And over this, forthwith, a figure steps — 
Tall — straight — with winged helm and byrnie 

bright — 
And after him a score of viking forms, 
With spear in hand and shield on arm, and to- 
ward 
The palace of the king all take their way. 

VI 

Now when the strangers to that spot had come 
Where Gunter stood, flanked by his men-at- 
arms, 
They halted, and one lifted high in air 
A snow-white shield, as if to signal Peace. 
And he who seemed the leader — by his dress, 
And face and noble bearing — left his men. 
And toward King Gunter slowly strode alone. 
And Gunter, reading in the stranger's mien 
A brother ruler — whether great or small 
He knew not, still a leader among men — 
Stepped likewise from his soldiery apart, 
And toward that other slowly strode alone. 
And in mid-field the two, unguarded, met. 

VII 

Spoke then the stranger, courteous his salute; 
"Art thou King Gunter, ruler of this realm?" 



TKe Coming of Sigxird II 

And Gunter answered: "Aye.** That other 

then: 
*'My name is Sigurd, from that far northland, 
Scandia 3^clept by men of Roman tongue, 
I come, with these three galleys which thou 

seest 
In yonder cove, and mariners six score; 
All hardy Norsemen, nurtured by the sea. 
Rough foster-mother, from their earliest days. 
Wanderers are we, our ships our homes, our 

trade 
To pull the oar, to steer, to set the sail, 
And, when occasion calls, to draw the sword, 
For like the eagle's are our lives, O King! 
But not in quest of booty do I come 
Today, nor on adventures warlike cruise, 
But rather to fulfil a project dear. 
Born of the wandering instinct in my heart, 
And grown now to a purpose of my life 
O'ermastering: — To behold, ere youth and 

strength 
Depart, and old age mark me for the grave, 
The mighty world ; to see with mine own eyes 
Rome, and the wondrous East, and what 

beyond 
Lies, if in truth there lies a land beyond. 
Or holy Asgard, as our sagas teach. 
And up this noble river have I sailed 
These many days, and feasted on its charms, 
Pursuant to this purpose of my heart. 



12 Andvari's Ring 

Friends are we then, O King, and friendship 

crave 
From thee. But if some wild adventure wait, 
Or thou hast present need of gallant men 
For war, which oft comes when expected least, 
Command my sword. These be all vikings 

bold, 
Stout sea-dogs every one, who know not fear. 
But love to breast the buffets of the storm 
When blows the dark northeaster o'er the wave; 
And love still more, while valkyrs o'er them fly, 
To front the battle's furious stress; to hear 
The battle's music; — the clash of sword against 

sword, 
The shock of axe on helm, the pit-a-pat 
Of the arrows' hail upon the shield. True sons 
Of Odin and of Thor be these, King; 
And what I bid them do they'll do — or die." 



VIII 



He ceased, and Gunter thus to him replied: 
"Welcome, brave knight, to the Burgundian 

land! 
No wars have I at present, though a bold 
Adventure long hath occupied my dreams 
(Of which hereafter will I speak to thee), 
Wherein thy eager spirit, and the skill 
Of these stout mariners would aid me much. 
But for today let's have no more of war, 



THe Coming of Sigurd 13 

But wassail only. In the banquet hall 

Of yonder palace is a feast prepared. 

Be thou my guest, brave knight. And as for 

' these, 

Thy merry men, they're welcome one and all. 

And to their comrades, who in yonder cove 

Remain, on board thy sea-tost ships, I'll send 

Cattle and sheep and ale and whate'er else 

Is found upon the tables in the hall, 

That all may join in our festivities. 

For on this day, seven years ago, my reign 

Began; and I today would celebrate 

Fitly, and as becomes a king, the event." 



IX 



He ceased: the two clasped hands: and Sigurd 

thus. 
With all his men, became King Gunter's guests. 



Ill 

THE BANQUET 
(Including Sigurd's Narrative) 



The feast is on in Gunter's banquet hall, 
And up and down the vast interior 
(A parallelogram in shape, whose length 
Extends three times its breath) reigns, every- 
where. 
The merry wassail of the olden time. 



II 



Upraised upon a dais, at one end 
Of the great hall, the table of the king 
Athwart-ships ran, stretching from side to side. 
Here sat, apart from the wild feast below. 
Yet of it; seeing all, by all beheld; 
Gunter, his household, and his guests of rank : — 
Ursula, his mother, the queen dowager; 
The fair Gudrun, his sister golden-haired. 
And many a lovely damsel of the bower; 

14 



TKe Banqiiet 15 

Gemot and Giselher, his brothers twain; 
Hagen, the captain of his men-at-arms; 
And others, kin or in authority: 
And here, the guest of honour, seen of all, 
Upon the king's right hand Earl Sigurd sat. 

Ill 

Beginning at the dais* central step, 

Set at right angles to the royal board, 

A mighty table ran the whole hall's length 

(Ran fore-and-aft, to use a sailor's phrase), 

And here were Gunter's men-at-arms and here — 

Each one between two spearmen, that the guest 

Might want for nothing — Sigurd's vikings sat. 

IV 

And lackeys, low beneath their heavy loads 
Bending, brought in the wild boar barbequed, 
And quarter-beeves, and giant platters filled 
With flesh of deer and sheep, and sucking pigs 
Tender and savory, and great loaves of bread. 
And wild-fowl grilled and served on wooden 

spits, 
And huge squab-pies, and fish from out the 

Rhine, 
And fruit and honey from Burgundian farms. 
And round and round the mighty drinking-horns 
Passed with the nut-brown ale or sparkling 

mead. 



l6 Andvari's Rin^ 

Passed, with their precious freight, from lip to 

lip, 
Ever to be replenished and repass. 
Filled from great casks within the cellar stored. 
And Norseman and Burgundian drank "Was- 

hael" 
Each to the other, and ere the bearded lips 
Were dry, "Skoel to the viking," and again 
*' Prosit, " and mellow friendship ruled the hour, 
For Bacchus doth make brothers of us all. 
And ever and anon the harpers sang 
Their songs of battle, and the loud applause 
Of hands and voice the approbation marked 
Of warriors who themselves had fought the 

fight. 
Sailors their yarns did spin, and soldiers too, 
Each vying with the other, and merrily wagged 
The yellow beards as in Valhalla, when 
With Odin and with Thor the heroes feast. 
And fiercer harped the skald, and louder rose 
The laughter and the Bacchanalian song, 
Till revel inextinguishable filled 
The spacious hall, while waxed the summer 

night 
To midnight, and then waned into the dawn. 



Meanwhile, upon the dais, gentler scenes 
Were passing; gentler themes engaged the 
tongue; 



THe Banq\iet 17 

As ever must it be when ladies sit 
Brave knights among, and lend to banquet hall 
The sweet restraint of their companionship. 
And when the meats were ended, and the sweets 
Circled the board, and gay contentment reigned, 
King Gunter bade his foremost serving-man 
Each golden goblet fill with Roman wine, 
And then, toward Sigurd looking, slowly spoke: 



VI 



**0n this, the anniversary of that day, 
Seven years ago, whereon my reign began, 
A noble guest, from the far distant north. 
By gales auspicious wafted to these shores. 
Sits with us at our banquet table. Him 
My heart doth much delight to honour. Him 
I ask you all to welcome as my friend. 
Fierce battles hath he fought, weird perils 

faced — 
Faced and o'ercome. And if, tonight, per- 
chance, 
Patience he hath to tell us of his life. 
And all its strange adventures manifold. 
An audience willing hath he at this board. 
But if the toils of travel him have left 
Wearied, and for long speech yet disinclined, 
Some other time, more opportune, we'll hope 
His wanderer's tale to hear. Meanwhile a cup 
Of good red wine (wine by my grandsire brought 



I8 Andvari's Ring 

From mighty Rome, made on the rocky hills 
Of fair Chianti, precious beyond compare) 
Let's drink with him — a pledge of friendship 

true — 
Trusting that long our honoured guest he'll be. 
Was-hael, Earl Sigurd! Gunter thee salutes, 
And welcomes thee to Burgundy! Was-hael!" 



VII 



So speaking, to his bearded lips he raised 
The golden cup, studded with precious stones, 
Which stood beside his plate — now to the brim 
Filled with the rosy wine of Italy. 
And all who round the royal table sat, 
Fair women and brave men, with one accord, 
Joined in the monarch's greeting to his guest, 
Crying ' * Was-hael ! Earl Sigurd ! ' * while in cups 
Of rosy wine friendship to him they pledged. 



VIII 



Then Sigurd, rising to his feet, thus spoke; 
**King Gunter, ladies, knights — for these kind 

words. 
This royal welcome, let me thank you all. 
Friends may I call you, for I feel that friends 
We are and shall be. Little did I think, 
This summer morn, as up yon noble stream 
I steered, with vessels three, on wanderings bent, 



THe Danq\iet 19 

That I such courteous words, such kindly hearts, 
Such regal hospitality should meet. 
Surely no ladies fairer, knights more brave, 
Walk the green earth than those of Burgundy. 
Surely no land — not even my Northland — 

spreads 
More beautiful beneath its azure skies 
Than Burgundy. Surely no country boasts 
A nobler king than thou art, Gunter, King 
Of the Burgundians. And since thou, tonight, 
Hast honoured me by asking of my life, 
Its wild beginnings and adventures weird, 
Right gladly will I speak, and briefly tell 
My tale. But first to thee and to thy house 
Friendship and fealty, in this good red wine, 
I fain would pledge. And may the gracious 

bond 
Never be broken, wheresoever I roam!" 



IX 



He lifted high in air his golden cup 

And cried ' ' The King ! ' ' And thereupon uprose 

All that bright company of knights, and stood 

With golden goblets lifted high in air, 

And cried "The King!" And dames and 

damsels fair 
Echoed, with voices sweet, the loyal toast. 
Crying "The King!" And o'er the oaken 

board 



20 Andvari's Rin^ 

The golden goblets, thus upheld in air, 
Each near the other, formed a bright ellipse, 
A glittering aureole crowning the fair feast. 
Beautiful was the scene ! And when the toast 
In good Chianti had been drunk, and the knights 
Once more had ta'en their seats, and silence 

fell, 
Sigurd began the story of his life. 



SIGURD'S NARRATIVE 



In the far Northland was I born, king ! 
That land of the long winter night ! That land 
Where scarce sets the midsummer sun! That 

land 
Of mountains and blue water, where the fiords 
Of ocean with the forests intertwine. 
Sigmund my father, and my mother sweet 
Siglinda. In Valhalla rest their souls. 



II 



A noble king my father, Sigmund, was; 
Bright, puissant, the brave son of a great sire — 
Volsung, a name renowned throughout the 

north. 
But e'en the bravest, when his hour hath come, 
Must die, for who can strive against the Norns; 
And by the hand of Hunding, son of Raud, 
A king cold-hearted, evil-minded, base, 
Was slain my father. So the grisly night, 
Suddenly swooping, doth blot out the sun. 

21 



22 Andvari's Rin^ 

And by the hands of Hunding's warriors fell 
All but a remnant of my father's men — 
True-hearted vikings, but the fight was vain. 
And harried was the land, and cruel spears 
Reddened with innocent blood the mountain 

stream, 
And flames devoured the hamlet, and afar 
To other countries fled those who escaped, 
Till in my father's land, at last, there seemed 
Naught living but the vulture and the wolf. 



Ill 



Now deep within the forest hidden — so deep 
That Hunding's spears ne'er found his habitat — 
There dwelt an aged man, Regin by name. 
Him oft my father's hand had guarded, him 
My mother had befriended oft. A smith 
Wondrous was he; and swords and spears and 

shields. 
And byrnies bright, and battle-axes keen, 
He fashioned; and my father prized his skill 
Above that of all other smiths, and praised 
The strength and beauty of his handiwork. 
Ancient he was, none knew his years, no kin 
He seemed to have; but rumour said his race 
Was long extinct, he only had survived, 
Carrying his knowledge down the centuries. 
A creature of a different age he seemed. 
Belonging to the long-forgotten Past. 



Sig\jrd*s Narrative 23 

Him did my mother, in that bitter hour 

When Hunding's hate had robbed her of her 

lord, 
Remember (as the hunted deer recalls 
A refuge) ; and to his wild forest forge, 
With me, a boy of scarce seven years, she fled. 
And thither faithful henchmen brought, by 

night, 
My father's body and his broken sword — 
Gram, whom the hand of Odin once had grasped. 
And for a little space my mother lived. 
But as some gentle plant, to alien soil 
Transferred, droops slowly to its death, so 

drooped 
My mother, and did slowly waste away; 
Till came a time when her the woodland wild 
Beheld no more, and in that world above 
Her gentle spirit did rejoin its mate. 



IV 



And Regin took the boy, myself, and taught — 
Or strove to teach — his crescent spirit all 
The secrets of the smith's time-honoured craft. 
How from the primal ore to summon forth — 
Led by his master-hand through changing 

shapes — 
Those objects bright and beautiful and strong 
Born of the hammer and the anvil. How 
To forge the spear's head and the arrow's point, 



24 Andvari's Rin^ 

To fabricate the hauberk and the helm, 
To temper the bright sword, of weapons king, 
Till like Thor's lightning-bolt, swift, terrible, 
'Twould cleave its way, unchecked, through 

stoutest steel. 
And how to fashion from the ruddy gold 
Rings, torques, and bracelets, also did he teach; 
And drinking-cups, o'erspread with lucky runes. 
And likewise me the lore of Greece and Rome 
He taught, and how to read the starry heavens, 
And in the art of skald and saga-man 
Instructed me, for many things he knew. 
Aye, all the wisdom of the world seemed his. 
And these I loved, for somewhat of the bard 
Doth dwell within me, and my hand can strike 
Deftly the harp when me the spirit moves. 
But I the smithy's smoky air loved not. 
Rather the green-leafed forest and the chase. 
Or ocean, and the long lift of the wave. 
My part to wield the sword and boar-spear, 

not 
To make them. For each spirit hath its work. 
And in that work delights, whate'er it be. 
And doing other, joy becomes dull toil. 
And Regin, though the same, from day to day. 
His smithy-task he taught me, read my heart. 
And knew it loved the forest, not the forge. 
And hungered for adventure, not to pass 
A sooty lifetime by the smithy fire. 
But pleased he seemed with his wild pupil's bent 



Sigvird's Narrative 25 

Rather than disappointed, and one morn, 
Standing beside his anvil, thus he spoke: 



** Little use it is to teach King Sigmund's son 

The secrets of the patient craftsman's art. 

As well try to instruct the lion's whelp 

In all the busy beaver's wondrous ways, 

Or ancient lore of the laborious ant. 

Willing thou art, my lad, but thou wast made 

For other things: — to handle men, not tools; 

To battle for thy people, and to rule 

Justly thy realm. For every age hath need 

Of such as thou — fearless and strong and true. 

In thee thy sire and grandsire live again. 

Take thou the sword, therefore, mine ancient 

hands 
Shall forge thee, and go forth into the world: 
Thy father's sword, Gram, which in that last 

fight 
Did Odin, for some unknown reason, break. 
His hand, not Hunding's, 'twas which struck 

the blow, 
For Gram by mortal man was never riven. 
But not for us it is, with human minds, 
To question the high wisdom of the gods. 
The sword he gave, that sword he took away, 
And now to thee it goes. So speak the Norns. 
Pray sit thee down, that I may tell the tale. 



26 Andvari's Rin^ 



VI 



*'A noble hall thy grandsire, Volsung, built, 
Oblong in shape, with great doors at each end, 
And fitted up within with tables long 
And benches stout, whereat his merry men 
Wassai'ed, while on the wall the glittering shield 
Hung idle, flanked by battle-axe and spear. 
And in the middle of this banquet hall 
An oak-tree, vast and venerable, grew — 
Branstock his ancient name — whose towering 

trunk 
Soared through the roof, and in the outer air 
Bloomed with a myriad branches. Now one 

night. 
When lighted were the fi es in the great hall — 
For winter time it was — and wagged the beards 
Merrily, and the horns of nut-brown ale 
Circled the board, there strode into the hall 
A stranger with a drawn sword in his hand. 
One-eyed he was and huge, a great slouched hat 
Betopped his golden locks, and a blue cloak 
Covered his shoulders. Not of earth he seemed, 
But mystic, superhuman. Such his mien 
None dared accost him. Odin 'twas in truth. 
Through the great hall, and toward the old 

oak-tree 
Swiftly he strode; then, for a moment, stopped, 
And into Branstock plunged his glittering blade. 
Up to its hilt in the great trunk it sank. 



Si^xird's Narrative 2^ 

Then Odin spoke: 'Whoso from out this stock 
Shall draw this sword, to him it shall belong; 
A gift from me. No better weapon lives 
'Twixt earth and heaven. Gram have I named 

it — Gram 
The Wrath/ So saying, from out the banquet 

hall, 
Huge, mystical, he passed; and in the night 
Vanished, and for a moment none dared move 
Or speak, but all like statues dumb remained, 
Awed by this presence from another world. 
Then spoke, at last, thy grandsire, Volsung, 

thus: 

VII 



<< I 



Honoured am I that to my banquet hall 
Hath come, this night, Odin, of gods the chief. 
And honoured will that puissant warrior be 
Who from old Branstock draws the glittering 

steel. 
Fain I, myself, at once, would clutch yon hilt 
And make the attempt, but courtesy forbids; 
And to my guests, in the order of their rank, 
First will the trial be given. Earl Sigger, thou 
Lead off, and Heaven accord thee just success.' 



VIII 



"He ceased, and Sigger rose — a grim-faced earl 
Of forty winters — and with brawny hands 



28 Andvari's Rin^ 

Grasped the bright hilt. With might and main 

he strove, 
While from his sea-tanned forehead broke the 

sweat 
Of fierce endeavour, but never budged the 

sword. 
And then stalked forth, one after another, men 
Famous of eld, lords of the land, and clutched, 
In turn, that hilt, and to dislodge the blade 
Strove, but in vain, till at the last remained 
No guest without his trial. Then Volsung 

spoke: 

IX 

*"Methinks the opportunity to me 
Fairly hath come, but ere I set my hand 
To draw from out his oaken scabbard Gram, 
I would that Sigmund first, my eldest son, 
Essay the deed. Eager he is, I know: 
Stout-hearted, and of strength beyond his years. 
Perchance the youth may win where men have 
failed.* 



*'At this thy father, then a lissome lad 

Of twenty, tall and golden-haired, stepped forth 

And, grasping in his hands the bright hilt, drew. 

As easily as from out a limpid pool, 

The sword of Odin from the old oak-tree. 



Sigurd's Narrative 29 

XI 

** Amazement reigned and awe and, in some 

breasts, 
Black envy, which doth ever dog success. 
But Volsung proudly smiled upon the boy, 
And, in a voice affectionate, thus spoke: 

XII 

*** Honoured art thou, my lad, above all men! 
Bright doth the future lie before thee! Who 
Thee can resist, with Gram within thy hand? 
Aye, well beloved of the immortal gods 
Art thou, Sigmund, my son. Mind that thy life 
Keep to high levels, like the eagle's flight; 
Worthy of him whose favour thou hast won.' 

XIII 

** Thereafter did thy father wear the sword 
Ever upon him, and in many a fierce 
Battle its magic virtues proved; and ne'er 
Did Gram once fail him till that fatal hour 
When Odin, for some unknown reason, broke 
The brand, and laid thy father low in death, 
And unto hateful Hunding gave the fight. 

XIV 

"But I the mystic shards have kept, and now 
For thee, with Odin's help, will I re-forge 



30 Andvari's Rin^ 

Gram, that the son may emulate the sire, 

And thou mayst have a blade meet for thy need." 



« 



XV 



So Regin took the shards of Gram, and forged 
From them a sword e'en like the first, with hilt 
Golden, and mystic runes upon the blade. 
And when he bore it from the forge — ere yet 
The hilt was fitted and the runes engraved — 
Fire seemed to play about its tempered edge 
Like lightnings. And I grasped the sword and 

cried : 
**Now, Master, will we prove our weapon!" 

With that 
I smote the smithy anvil, and the sword 
Clove through the iron block down to the stock, 
And on the floor the anvil, cut in twain. 
Rolled heavily, but not broken was the sword 
Nor dented, and I cried, "So far, so good!" 
And thereupon we went, Regin and I, 
Out to a mountain stream, and Regin cast 
A lock of lamb's wool up against the stream, 
And when it floated down upon the sword, 
'Twas cut asunder, so keen-edged, was that 

blade. 
And wild with joy I waved the brand on high. 
Then, grasping Regin's ancient hand in mine. 
Master," I cried, "through thee is Gram 

re-born, 



n 



Sig\ird*s Narrative 



31 



What fierce assaults of men, what perils weird, 
Can I not face, with this to back my cause ! 
Name me, O Master, some adventure wild 
Wherein my sword a baptism red may earn, 
And I, perchance, earth of some monster rid." 



XVI 



And Regin answered: "Prescient words are 

these. 
Unwittingly thy lips have named the deed. 
If thou dost win, glory world-wide is thine. 
Riches incalculable. If thou dost lose, 
Grim death will be thy portion. On yon bank 
Let us sit down, that I may tell a tale 
Of bygone years, when this grey spirit was 

young." 

XVII 

Then spoke the master to his pupil thus: 

"In the old days, when the gods walked the 

earth, 
Odin, Loki and ancient Hoenir once 
Beside a waterfall sat down to rest; 
And as they laughed and chatted they beheld. 
Not far away, upon the river's brink. 
An otter with a salmon in its mouth. 
Caught freshly. Then did Loki, in whose heart 
Mischief was ever brewing, cast a stone 



32 Andvari's Rin^ 

Swiftly, and slew the otter, and its skin 
Stripped from the carcass, and gaily to his belt 
Hung it. Quoth he, *A trophy of the chase/ 

XVIII 

"Now, in the evening, to a woodsman's hut, 
Hreidmar yclept, they came; and when the man 
Sighted, at Loki's belt, the otter's skin, 
Dark fury seized him. 'Murderer base!' he 

cried, 
* Whence gat test thou that skin?' And Loki 

smiled. 
And, smiling, spoke: 'Beside a waterfall, 
At noon, we rested; I and my two friends. 
And as we laughed and chatted we beheld, 
Not far away, upon the river's brink, 
An otter with a salmon in his mouth. 
Caught freshly. And the beast I slew forthwith 
And flayed him, and his pelt about my waist 
Fastened. Behold I A trophy of the chase.' 



XIX 



*'Then Hreidmar: *Thou hast slain my young- 
est son. 
Otter, who oft, by witchcraft, did assume 
The otter's shape that he more easily 
Might land the wily salmon from the stream. 
I know the waterfall, — his favourite haunt. 



Si^\ird*s Narrative 33 

Murderer thou art, and murderers are thy 

friends, 
And straightway shall ye die, that my son's 

death 
May be avenged. Ho! Fafnir! Regin! Quick!* 

XX 

"At this there strode into the little hut 
A giant low of brow, of aspect fierce, 
Fafnir, old Hreidmar's eldest son; and him 
Close following came the second son, myself. 
Ages ago was this, when earth was young — 
For, as thou knowest, my life is full of years, 
Ancient beyond the dreams of men — but still 
Vivid, distinct as yesterday, doth show 
Before my memory's eye, that fatal night. 
Well-armed my father Hreidmar was; well- 
armed 
Fafnir and I, with spears and axes good; 
And hapless seemed the plight of the three 

gods; 
For, as thou knowest, when the immortal gods 
Put off their god-head, and assume the shapes 
Of mortal men, and walk the ways of earth. 
Subject to earthly laws they straight become. 
Thus was it now, and hopeless seemed their 

plight; 
Spirits eterne in earthly bodies caught; 
Valhallan gods by earthly churls oppressed. 



34 Andvari's Rin^ 

XXI 

*'Then suddenly Hreidmar to his victims 

spoke : 
'Villains, one chance I'll give you for your lives. 
Cover yon otter skin with glittering gold, 
Aye, every hair, and hence ye may depart ! ' 

XXII 

"Then Loki: "Tis a bargain! My two friends 
Here will I leave, fit hostages, and soon 
Laden with glittering gold will I return.* 

XXIII 

"Beneath the waterfall a cavern deep 
Opened, though from the prying eyes of men 
Screened was its narrow entrance by the fall. 
And here the wily dwarf, Andvari, dwelt. 
Chief of the Niblungs; and, in galleries dark, 
Ever his gnomes here mined the yellow gold. 
And here was hidden that Niblung treasure 

vast. 
Famous of eld : bags, boxes filled with coins 
Golden and silvern; beautiful ornaments — 
Rings, neck-chains, bracelets, fillets for the 

hair, 
Brooches and buckles, earrings, lockets, combs, 
All of fine gold, and most of them with gems 



Sigurd's Narrative 35 

Adorned, with dazzling diamonds, fairest pearls, 
Rubies and sapphires, opals, emeralds rare, 
Green as the ocean deeps where ^gir reigns; 
And lamps and table vessels of fine gold — 
Wonderful platters, drinking-cups, great bowls, 
With many a mystic rune inscribed thereon. 
And round about, upon the cavern walls. 
Hung swords and spears, helmets and byrnies 

bright. 
Daggers and knives, and other warlike gear. 
And in the nooks and crannies of the rocks 
Strange odds and ends had found a home. 

Whate'er 
Seemed to the Niblung's avaricious eye 
Of value, great or small, was here. A hoard 
Motley and vast it was: one-half, methinks, 
Born of the anvil of Andvari, half 
Gathered through centuries from the outer 

world. 
Spoil of slain armies ! Loot of pillaged homes ! 
Flotsam and jetsam of wrecked argosies! 

XXIV 

"Well known to Loki was Andvari's hoard, 
And in his present need thereto he turned, 
Though little, in Valhalla, do the gods 
Value earth's riches. In that high abode 
All joys are theirs: naught else to be desired. 
Only on earth is yellow gold the king. 



36 Andvari's Rin^ 

XXV 

*' Now oft, within the stream, below the fall, 
Andvari, in the likeness of a pike, 
Sported, — for he the power of changing shapes 
Possessed, — and on this summer evening fair 
He sought its cooling waters crystalline. 
Him there did Loki find, and in a net 
Magic (by Ran the wife of ^gir made) 
Captured, and thus addressed the wily dwarf: 

XXVI 

*** Andvari, well I know thee: naught can change 
That serpent eye of thine. Loki I am. 
Now listen: three bags of gold must thou to- 
night 
Take, and to Hreidmar's hut them swiftly bear, 
That I my friends, Odin and Hoenir old, 
May ransom. Gold enough an otter's skin 
To cover, aye, every hair, Hreidmar demands, 
For I unwittingly have slain his son. 
Quick must we act. How say'st thou, Niblung? 

Yes? 
'Tis well; else would this good right hand have 

crushed 
Thy miser's life out, though it were in shape 
Of fish or fowl or serpent dark disguised.' 

XXVII 

"He ceased, and thus Andvari answered him: 
'Let me once more my natural shape assume, 



Sig-urd's Narrative 37 

And I will strive the gold to gather. Ah me ! 
Good Loki, little my poverty thou know'st. 
But I will do my best. Yea, three full bags 
Of gold I promise. Pray release me now.' 

XXVIII 

"At this the god upon the frightened dwarf 
Relaxed his hold and him upon the ground 
Cast; and Andvari straightway reassumed 
His human shape and, toward the waterfall 
Moving, cried out, ' Valhallan, follow me ! ' 

XXIX 

"Now when they reached the cavern's mouth 

the dwarf 
Halted and, crying 'Enter!' stood on one side. 
And Loki entered and beheld the vast 
Chamber, from which long corridors branched 

out, 
Leading to other chambers underground. 
And everywhere swart Niblungs, grimy gnomes, 
His eye encountered : bags of treasure some 
Carried to and fro, and others at the forge 
Wrought, and yet others in deep galleries toiled 
With pick and shovel — all on labour bent. 
Labour unending. And Andvari cried, 
' Ho slaves ! Three bags of gold ! ' And straight- 
way rushed 



38 Andvari's Rixi^ 

Three Niblung gnomes, and seized the bags, and 

them 
Fetched to their master. And Andvari said, 
* Here is the gold. Let us away!' At once 
Each gnome upon his back hoisted a bag 
And, following Loki and Andvari, passed 
Out of the cave, into the forest wild. 

XXX 

**Now when to Hreidmar's fateful hut had come 
This strange procession Loki through the door 
Strode, smiling, followed by the Niblung 

chief, 
Andvari, and his grimy goblins three, 
Who on the floor their bags of treasure cast. 
And Loki cried, 'Here is the gold! Bring 

forth 
The otter's skin, that we may cover it!* 
And thereupon my father brought the skin, 
And stretched it on the floor, and fell to work, 
Greedily, to cover with the shining gold 
The furry garment of his otter son. 
But though at first more than enough there 

seemed 
Of treasure, as my father wrought the skin 
Grew larger, or, at least, so seemed to grow, 
Till, at the last, when empty was each bag, 
One hair upon the muzzle of the beast 
Was still uncovered. Then my father spoke: 



Si^vird's Narrative 



39 



XXXI 



*' ' Methmks one muzzle-hair — plain to be seen — 
Is not yet covered! What say ye, knaves, to 

this? 
Know that your bargain ye must wholly keep, 
And covered must be every single hair, 
Or ye must die ! What say ye, villains ? Quick ! ' 

XXXII 

**Then Loki, turning to Andvari, spoke: 

* Niblung, hast thou more gold ? ' Answered the 

dwarf : 
*No more have I, my lord; here or elsewhere.* 

XXXIII 

*' But Hreidmar's was the greed insatiate. Thus 
Coldly he spoke: 'Methinks upon the hand 
Of that dark dwarf a glittering ring I see — 
A golden serpent with two ruby eyes — 
Throw that upon the skin and ye are free.' 

XXXIV 

"Andvari then : * Rather my life than that ! * 

XXXV 

*'But, wild with the lust of gold, old Hreidmar 

clutched 
Fiercely the dwarf; and, him as in a vise 
Holding, from off his finger wrenched the ring. 



4o Andvari's Rin^ 

XXXVI 

"Rage uncontrollable Andvari seized. 

* Accurst for evermore be Hreidmar ! Accurst 
For evermore be Hreidmar's house ! ' he cried. 

* Accurst be he who wears the Niblung's ring! 
Accurst be he who holds the Niblung's gold ! 
May hate, disease, misfortunes dire, all ills 
Conceivable, unutterable woe, 

Tortures of mind and body, pursue the steps 
Of him who wears the ring or holds the gold! 
Curst be his lot until his dying day 1 
O woe! Woe! Woe! What now is life to me! 
Lost is the Niblung's power without his ring!* 

XXXVII 

"But Hreidmar only laughed. * Begone ye 

knaves ! 
Free are ye one and all ! And as for thee, 
Impudent dwarf, I fear thy curses not.' 

XXXVIII 

"Thereafter went the gods upon their way 
Rejoicing, and the Niblung sought his cave; 
But Hreidmar gathered up the glittering gold. 
And in the sacks re-stowed it, and beside 
His treasure watched, sleepless, till morning 
dawned. 



Si^"urcl*s Narrative 41 

XXXIX 

**Then Fafnir huge, whose glowering face 

bespoke 
Evil within, addressed our father thus: 
* Meseems 'twere fairer, since three bags of gold 
The Niblung brought, that each of us one bag 
Take as his share, and not that all the gold 
To thee alone should go. Good sons are we, 
Trusty and strong; and had it not been for us, 
Regin and me, with our stout spears, methinks 
'Twould have gone hard with thee. Let us 

divide. 
Therefore, the Niblung's gold into three parts. 
One part for each. What say'st thou, father 

mine?* 



XL 



*'But Hreidmar answered curtly: *I trow not. 
The gold is mine, and mine it shall remain.' 



XLI 



'*Then Fafnir: * Miser! Thy blood be on thy 

head!' 
And straightway through our father's body he 

drove 
His spear gigantic, and prone upon the floor, 
With a great cry, old Hreidmar tumbled, — 

dead. 



42 Andvari's Rin^ 

XLII 

"Thus went into effect, without delay, 
The Niblung's Curse: like a malignant star, 
Launched into ether by demoniac hands, 
Henceforth to burn, casting its influence dire 
On all who wear the ring or hold the gold. 

XLIII 

"And Fafnir pulled from his dead father's hand 
The Niblung's ring, and placed it on his own 
(A golden serpent with two ruby eyes), 
And — me, perchance, mistrusting — from the hut 
His treasure bore, seeking some safer spot; 
Till, wandering through the wood, he came at 

last 
(Led, peradventure, by some power occult) 
Unto the waterfall, and there sat down. 
And long he gloated o'er his glittering gold. 
And as he gazed upon the ring he kissed. 
Softly, the shining band; and straightway came 
From out the cavern's mouth the Niblung dwarf, 
Andvari, and knelt down upon the sand 
Low before Fafnir, crying 'What wouldst thou 

have? 
Slaves of the ring are we, I and my gnomes. 
Whoso possesses that possesses us. 
A power unseen impels us though we strive 
Against its bidding. Whoso possesses us. 



Sig-urd's Narrative 43 

His is the Niblung's gold: that mighty hoard, 
Garnered through the centuries. If thou 

wouldst enjoy 
The glorious spectacle, enter and claim thine 

own.' 

XLIV 

"So saying, the dwarf arose; and, with both 

hands. 
Pointed to the waterfall; then, bowing low. 
Strode toward the cavern's mouth; and Fafnir, 

filled 
With wonder and greedy joy, him followed close. 
And when the son of Hreidmar saw the Hoard, 
Motley and vast, seemingly limitless. 
He laughed, and smote his hands together, and 

cried, 
*Ah, luckiest mortal in the world am I! 
Here will I bide, amidst my glittering gold ! * 
And there abode he; but, as passed the years. 
Slowly he changed from bad to worse, and grew 
Into a thing of horror, half man, half beast; 
And in the end a creature wholly beast 
Became, a dragon loathsome, hideous, fierce. 
Cruel and powerful, from whose scaly hide. 
Hard as wrought iron, the sharpest spear re- 
bounds. 
All unavailing. And there abides he still. 
But I, within my father's hut, alone. 
Deep in the forest, dwelt for many a year. 



44 Andvari's Rin^ 

And later, from that sage of ancient days, 

Mimer, the wisest man in all the North, 

I learned the sword-smith's art. Then, as thou 

knowest, 
King Sigmund sought, and him served till he 

died. 
And now what thinkest thou of my story, lad?" 

XLV 

"Fafnir, '* I answered, "shall be Gram's first 

meat. 
What say'st thou. Master? Brother of thine 

is he, 
I know, but also murderer of thy sire. 
Earth were well rid of him. Is it not so? 
Thy silence gives approval, Master mine. 
Today will I make ready for the fight; 
Tomorrow will I face this monster; aye, 
E'en in his lair. May Odin grant success!** 

XLVI 

"And wilt thou take the treasure and the ring 
Attainted? Wilt thou brave the Niblung's 
curse?" 

XLVII 

Thus Regin, and to him I made reply: 
"I know not. What think'st thou? 'Twere 
well, indeed. 



Sigurd's Narrative 



45 



To ponder this. Perchance, when comes the 

hour, 
Odin my course will guide. Great plans have I, 
Master, for the future. Firstly, to avenge 
My father's death, and Hunding's sons destroy; 
And next, with ships and men to sally forth 
O'er the great ocean, distant lands to view. 
For these things gold were welcome— gold to 

buy 

Stout galleys, gold to man them. Think'st thou 

not, 
Master, that if this now attainted hoard 
Were put to uses good the curse might die?*' 

XLVIII 

And Regin answered: "Aye, perchance it 

might; 
And yet I fear 'twill not. Terrible to me 
It seems, this ancient curse, and fraught with 

ills 
Unending. But my spirit fails with age. 
And ever doubtful and despondent grows; 
Fearful of all things, longing for life's end: 
Not like the buoyant soul that lives in thee, 
Bright as the sun of Easter-month and strong. 
Balder thou art, methinks, come back to earth; 
Balder, the springtime jubilant, whose face 
Fronts the inconstant future with a smile; 
Eager to breast the battle and the gale; 



46 Andvari's Rin^ 

Eager to pit thyself against the world 
And try which be the stronger, it or thou. 
Balder thou art, but Hoder old am I, 
Hoder, the winter, white with deepening snows. 
Little I know, now at life's end; but if 
'Tis possible to bring the curse to naught 
Thy plan will do it : evil thwart with good. 
But let me end this tale, while yet my tongue 
Hath power of speech, for shadows of the 

grave 
Beset me, and scarce comes my fleeting breath. 
Death's hand upon my stiffening limbs I feel. 
Methinks the end is near. List now, my lad ! 
"When I am gone search thou the smithy chest — 
A map thine eyes will find — the waterfall — 
The Niblung's cave — not far from here they lie. 
Easily to be reached when once the way is 

known. 
Go forth and do the deed. Long hath the world 
Waited for thee. May Odin guide thy hand I ' ' 

XLIX 

So saying, from its earthly dwelling-place, 
Swiftly, with scarce a bodily tremor, passed 
The ghost of Regin; and as from the fields 
Rises the laverock to the azure sky 
Rejoicing; so, methinks, that noble soul. 
Leaving its worn-out garment, rose in air, 
Rejoicing to Valhalla, and there abides. 



Si^vird's Narrative 47 



But I — when near the smithy door these hands 
His withered frame had buried — my Master's 

words 
Remembered, and sought out the ancient chest, 
And searched within its depths, and found the 

map, 
E'en as his dying voice had bidden me. Lo! 
Traced on the yellow parchment, plotted with 

care, 
The waterfall — the Niblung's cave ! Not far 
From the old smithy was the spot, a scant 
League through the forest ; easily to be reached 
When once the way was known. And in my 

hand 
I grasped my father's weapon. Gram the Wrath, 
The gift of Odin, now, by Regin's skill 
Re-born for me; and, lifting him on high, 
I swore before the morrow's sun should set 
To slay the dragon or myself be slain. 



LI 



Now when the moon had risen I wandered out 
Into the forest, and though my first intent 
Had been to sally forth at break of day 
On my adventure, fresh and strong from sleep, 
Yet ever toward the Niblung's cave my feet 
Moved, by a power resistless drawn, like steel 



48 Andvari's Rixi^ 

Drawn by the magnet, so that I, ere long, 
Had gone full half the distance. Suddenly, then, 
Before me, like a spectral shape, appeared, 
Right in my path standing, a figure strange. 
One-eyed he was and huge, a great slouched hat 
Betopped his golden locks, and a blue cloak 
Covered his shoulders. Not of earth he seemed. 
But mystic, superhuman. Such his mien 
Awe filled my bosom. Odin 'twas in truth. 
Quoth he: "Where goest thou, Sigurd?'* I 

replied : 
' • Faf nir to slay . ' ' Then he : ' ' And f ear'st thou 

not 
To attempt the deed? Faf nir is strong and 

fierce, 
Cruel and terrible." "But I fear him not," 
I cried. "Within my hand I hold the sword 
My father, Sigmund, from the old oak-tree 
Wrested; the gift of Odin, Gram the Wrath, 
Re-born through Regin's skill. Why should I 

fear 
This dragon? Through his loathsome mail my 

blade, — 
Magic, invincible, — will I thrust, and pierce 
His devil's heart. No! No! I fear him not!" 
Then Odin : * ' Worthy son of a brave sire 
Art thou, my lad: courage aye wins success. 
But list ! Wait not until tomorrow dawns, 
But go tonight. Each morn comes Fafnir forth 
From out his lair, the Niblung's cavern vast. 



Sigurd's Narrative 49 

To slake his thirst beside the waterfall. 
His trail thou wilt perceive in the soft sand. 
Dig thou tonight a pit, narrow and deep, 
Upon the trail, and stand within the pit. 
And when at break of day comes Fafnir forth 
And moves along his trail, and covers thee, 
Thrust upward with thy sword and pierce his 

heart. 
Farewell . " So saying, — like a wraith that comes 
Out of the unknown, and shows itself, and then 
To the unknown returns, — he disappeared. 



LII 



So swiftly through the forest now I strode, 

My heart on fire, until the waterfall. 

White in the moonlight, did mine eyes behold. 

And to the stream below the fall I came. 

And searched upon the sand, and straightway 

found 
The dragon's trail ; and on the trail I dug, 
With my good sword, as Odin had bidden me, 
A pit, narrow and deep, then into the pit 
Got, sword in hand, and waited for the dawn. 



LIII 



Now at the earliest light came Fafnir forth. 
From out the Niblung's cave, his thirst to slake ; 
And as I stood within the pit my gaze 
4 



50 Andvari's Rin^ 

Followed his every motion. Huge his frame, 
Armoured with dusky scales: his upreared 

head 
Helmeted like the basilisk's: his eye 
Malignant, like the basilisk's, and cold; 
Repulsive, as in every age hath been 
The eye of reptile, filling with strange fear, 
Horror inexplicable, the hearts of men. 
His giant jaws were partly open; his whole 
Saurian visage ruthless, terrible. 
Along the earth his length ten fathoms stretched, 
Loathsome to look upon. A crocodile 
"With wings, he looked, but huger; more, me- 

thinks, 
Like some vast brute of earlier ages born. 
Out from his lair beneath the waterfall 
He passed, then, turning, down along the stream 
Pursued his sluggish course. Hideous the 

sight ! 
But I, e'en when he neared me, felt no fear. 
And as his carcass lumbered o'er the pit, 
And sudden darkness filled the narrow space, 
Up through his yellow under-hide I drove 
Gram to his heart. Forth, like a river, rushed 
The dragon's blood; and me from head to foot 
In liquid blackness bathed. (For black as 

night 
Was Fafnir's blood, compound of evils gross.) 
Then from the pit I clomb, and drew the steel 
From out the monster, who me thus addressed: 



■ 



Sigiard's Narrative 51 

LIV 

"What man art thou whose crafty thrust hath 

drawn 
My life-blood? And what purpose moved thy 

heart ? 
Unknown thou art to me, unharmed by me. 
Whence comest thou? Who hath urged thee 

to this deed?" 

LV 

Then I: "Fafnir, thou knowest me not: but 

thee 
I know. A monster execrable. Right soon 
Dead wilt thou be through bite of my good 

sword. 
Without thee earth were happier. But methinks 
Upon thy claw a glittering ring I see — 
A golden serpent with two ruby eyes. 
That will I take. All else of thee may rot." 



LVI 



Then Fafnir : " *Tis the Niblung's ring. A curse 
Goes with it. Dost thou know the evil tale ? " 

LVII 

*'The tale I know, but nathless will I take 
The ring and wear it. The Niblung's gold I 
need." 



52 Andvari's Rin^ 

So saying, from the dragon's claw I drew 

The glittering band that rules Andvari's hoard. 

LVIII 

"May the curse blast thee!" Fafnir screamed 
— then died. 



LIX 



Then from the cave came forth the Niblung 

dwarf, 
Andvari, and beheld the dragon dead; 
Though weltering still in his black blood, as 

worms, 
Both great and small, are wont to do when slain. 
And on his knees, before me, fell the dwarf, 
Crying, "Hail Master! Wearer of the Ring! 
Whoso possesses that, possesses us — 
Custodians of the Hoard. What wouldst thou 

have? 
Immeasurable wealth is thine. Behold 
The Niblung's cave! Enter and claim thine 

own." 
And straightway (following the dwarf, who rose 
And went before me) toward the waterfall 
I strode and, passing underneath the force, 
Entered the narrow portal of the cave. 
And thereupon my wondering eyes beheld. 
E'en as my Master's words had pictured it, 



Si^"urd*s Narrative 53 

The chamber vast wherein the Niblungs dwell. 
And from it dusky corridors branched out, 
Leading to other chambers underground. 
And everywhere swart Niblungs, grimy gnomes, 
Mine eyes encountered : bags of treasure some 
Carried to and fro, and others at the forge 
Wrought, and yet others in deep galleries toiled 
With pick and shovel — all on labour bent, 
Labour unending. And Andvari cried, 
** Master, here shalt thou dwell and be our chief; 
Reigning, like Fafnir, over limitless wealth!" 



LX 



But I the crafty Niblung thus bespoke: 
"Thy gloomy halls, Andvari, charm me not. 
Rather, for me, the open air, the sun, 
The moon, the stars, the forest and the sea. 
Nathless, great projects for the future years 
I've planned, and for their fit accomplishment 
This wealth is needed. Therefore bid thy 

gnomes 
Three sacks of gold make ready, and through the 

wood. 
Straightway to Regin's smithy carry them. 
Anon, perhaps, more treasure will I need 
My plans to prosper; therefore be prepared. 
Like the young eagle doth my spirit burn 
To spread its wings, not underneath the ground 
To burrow like the mole. Dost understand. 



54 Andvari's Rin^ 

Niblung? Remain thou here, my vassal true, 
Custodian of the Hoard ; remain and wait 
My coming. Be thou regent here for me, 
Sigurd, thy master, who doth wear the ring.** 

LXI 

And low Andvari bowed, and answered: ** Aye, 
My master, well 111 guard the Hoard." Then 

cried : 
*'Ho slaves! Three bags of gold!" And 

straightway rushed 
Three Niblung gnomes, and seized the bags, 

and them 
Fetched to their master. And Andvari said : 
**Here is the gold, my lord." And I replied: 
**Let us away!" At once, upon his back 
Each gnome a bag of treasure swung, and then — 
They following me — we passed out of the cave. 
And thence to Regin's ancient smithy came. 
Here did the gnomes their treasure leave, and 

then 
Straightway unto the Niblung's cave returned. 

LXII 

Thereafter did I seek a seaport old. 
Not far away, famed as a rendezvous 
Of fisherfolk and vikings; and here bought 
Three galleys good and them o'erhauled and 
named 



Sigurd's Narrative 55 

The Dragon, Wolf, and Bear, and for the prow 
Of each the shipwrights carved a figurehead 
In keeping with the name, and gilded it, 
And fair they were to see. (E'en those thine 

eyes 
Beheld this morn.) And then for each I shipped 
A crew of lusty lads, all ocean-bred. 
Skilful with oar and canvas, sword and spear, 
Vikings who loved, like me, the wanderer's life. 
And when to snow-clad earth once more returned 
Bright Balder, and unlocked the frozen streams, 
And lifted from the world its mantle white. 
And spread o'er land and sea his prospering airs, 
I to avenge my father's death set out. 
And up the coast of Norroway we sailed 
Unto that land where Hunding once did rule. 
Long since was Hunding dead, but o'er the land 
Still ruled his breed, two cruel sons and false, 
Lyngi and Horward; and upon their coasts 
Falling, fierce as the famished wolf, by night. 
We caught them unawares, at wassail, and slew 
All but a handful of their men-at-arms. 
And left the banquet hall a blazing pyre. 
And at the last the two kings turned to fly. 
Craven, but I faced them in their flight and 

cried : 
"Be men, not swine! Sigurd am I, the son 
Of Sigmund, whom your father foully slew. 
Prepare to die!" And Lyngi, the elder, raised 
His sword to strike, but ere he struck, fell Gram, 



56 Andvari's Rin^ 

Swiftly descending, upon his helm, and clove 
Helmet and head and mail-clad body in twain. 
And on the ground the two halves fell apart. 
And Horward, likewise, did Gram cleave in 

twain, 
E'en as he turned to fly. Then from the land 
Of Hunding's sons I passed, — my father's death 
Avenged, — and that fair territory sought 
Which Hunding from my noble sire did wrest — 
That spot beloved where first the light of earth 
My infant eyes beheld. Gone was the home 
Where Sigmund once and sweet Siglinda dwelt — 
That noble hall my grandsire, Volsung, built, 
Up through whose roof the mighty oak-tree 

soared, 
Branstock, and bloomed within the outer air: 
That hall where once the bearded heroes sat 
Drinking, with lightsome hearts, the nut-brown 

ale; 
While on the lofty wall each glittering shield 
Hung idle, flanked by battle-axe and spear; 
That hall to which, amidst the wassail, came 
The one-eyed stranger with the unsheathed 

sword, 
Odin, and silent stalked across the room, 
And into Branstock plunged the glittering blade. 
Gone was that noble hall, by Hunding's hand 
Fired on that midnight twice seven years before, 
When fell my father and my mother fled, 
As flies the stricken deer, to Regin's forge. 



1 



Sig\ird's Narrative 57 

Gone was my childhood's home, and, as I 

walked 
About the blackened spot where once it stood 
Tears filled my eyes. Then, from afar and near, 
Hearing of my return whom they thought dead, 
Came, in the months which followed, henchmen 

old. 
Who for my father oft had borne the spear. 
And these, and many others, me besought 
Henceforth to abide with them and rule the land. 
And for a time I tarried and, perchance. 
Better had it been if I had there remained. 
Ruling the kingdom which my father ruled. 
But evermore the call of the great world, 
In accents irresistible, I heard — 
Sweet voices from beyond our boreal seas, 
Voices from out the magic realms of Rome, 
Singing of ampler knowledge, higher arts 
Of nobler manners and a fuller life; 
Singing a land by Nature's kindliest smile 
Illumined, of all earth the garden spot; 
A fair domain in which the Midland Sea 
Lay like a sapphire in a golden brooch; 
A land enchanted, where the stately walls 
Of villas and of palaces uprose 
Innumerable, by gardens fair begirt, 
Under whose bosky shade pale statues stood; 
Singing a nation proud and puissant, dam 
Of valiant sons, who to their mother's knee 
The treasures of remotest earth had brought ; 



58 Andvari's Rin^ 

Singing a realm ruled from the Tiber's banks; 
A peaceful land by warriors* spears upheld; 
An ordered state where safe was each one's life ; 
An empire splendid as the midday sun, 
Within whose bounds the mind of man had 

reached 
Its highest, and his hand had wrought its best, 
And which, like the great sun, did radiate 
Upon our earth its light beneficent. 
This and yet more the voices sang to me, 
Till on my spirit a wild wander-lust 
Seized, and dissatisfied were all my days. 
So in my place a kinsman strong and true, 
In whom the blood of Volsung likewise ran, 
Thorwald, surnamed The Incorruptible, 
I left as ruler of the little state. 
And for a cruise began to make prepare 
Long and uncertain. Stores my ships required. 
And of the mariners who with me sailed 
Against the sons of Hunding some were slain 
And others, having wife and bairn, perchance. 
Loved not so long a voyage, so with men 
From my own land the vacancies I filled. 
Till every ship her complement contained — 
Some youngsters like myself, old sea-dogs some. 
Greybeards who had my father Sigmund served. 
And loved the son because the sire they loved. 
And for the Wolf and Bear captains I chose, 
Strong men by nature fitted for command. 
Eric the Wanderer one, who on the deep 



Sigvird's Narrative 59 

Was born, and all his life upon the deep 

Had dwelt, till scarce he knew the touch of 

earth : 
To him the Wolf I gave. And to the Bear 
Hakon the son of Haldan I assigned. 
A man of temper fierce, yet wise withal, 
Intrepid, yet a cautious counsellor. 
And of the largest vessel of the three. 
The Dragon, I myself assumed command. 

LXIII 

Then set we sail once more, with eager hearts, 
And, bearing westward, sought the famous isle 
Of Britain, where till late the Roman ruled. 
And first the foggy Shetlands we beheld. 
And landed, and Norse rovers like ourselves 
Everywhere found, on wild adventure bent, 
Hovering like ospreys ere they strike their prey. 
Thence to the Orkneys southerly we sailed. 
And likewise here the ships of Northland found. 
For springtime 'twas, and every viking bold 
His summer cruise was planning, and in dreams 
Himself beheld returning to his home — 
What time the autumn's briefer days are come — 
With galleys laden to the water's edge. 
Silver and gold and splendid booty his. 
Then down the rocky Caledonian coast 
We made our way until that famous wall 
Which Roman Hadrian built against the Picts 



6o Andvari's Rin^ 

We reached, and here a while on shore I stayed, 

That I might view this marvel of men's hands. 

From ocean unto ocean it extends, 

From far Ituna on the western shore 

To Segedunum on the east, where falls 

The river Tyne into the Northern sea. 

Aye, fourscore miles, o'er hill and dale and 

plain, — 
Rising and falling with the varied land — 
It stretches, like some sleeping serpent vast. 
Built is't of stone, with ample fosse in front; 
So broad its top that, at the narrowest parts, 
Three men with shields and spears can walk 

abreast ; 
And all along that top a line of towers — 
Endless unto the eye it seems — stands guard; 
And all along behind the wall great camps, 
Cities more like, at intervals are reared. 
Here, till of late, the Roman stood on guard 
Northernmost outpost of his empire vast. 
A wondrous sight it was to me, this wall. 
To me whose eyes, though hoping to behold 
Earth's greatest works, perchance e'en Rome 

itself. 
Had seen, as yet, naught but the wilderness, 
Grey ocean, and the mountains of the North. 
A wondrous sight it is, though swift decay 
Already hath begun to sap its strength. 
For Rome, today, is not what she hath been, 
And hath abandoned Britain to its fate, 



Si^\jird*s Narrative 6i 

And so, perforce, neglected stands the wall. 
And in that distant island where once reigned 
Law, and secure were property and life, 
And years of peace had brought prosperity, 
Confusion now, low crime and rapine rule; 
And like a wife left husbandless, who stands 
Alone and unprotected, is the land. 
Bereft of the strong shelter of Rome's arm. 

LXIV 

Now once more to the southward did we steer, 
Skirting the rugged coast, till Humber's mouth 
We reached and entered and, as in the isles 
Of Orkney and of Shetland, here we found 
The Norsemen's ships, aye, everywhere we 

went, 
In port or on the wing, they seemed to be, 
With broidered sails and golden figureheads 
Glittering in the sunshine, and the warriors' 

shields. 
When o'er the deep they journeyed, outboard 

hung 
Along the gunwales. And to me the thought 
Came, and hath lingered with me ever since, 
That, as the Roman hath this favoured isle 
Abandoned to its fate, to sink or swim, 
Perchance 'twill be the Norseman's destiny 
To people and to rule it, and, in truth, 
A land well suited is it to our race. 



62 Andvari's Rixi^ 

LXV 

Then down the coast once more we sailed away, 
Past many a headland bold and harbour snug, 
Until at last the mouth of Thames we reached. 
And here I should have entered — for my plan 
Was and still is, at future day, to see 
Londinium, of all British towns the chief, 
The largest and the richest in the isle, — 
But learning that unfriendly were the folk, 
And being — though my vikings scoffed at fear — 
Not overstrong in ships and men, I deemed 
Prudence the part of wisdom and forebore. 
Then hearing praise of Burgundy and thee, 
And longing to behold the river Rhine, 
I bade farewell to Britain's foggy land. 
Thence borne along by favourable winds, 
We toward the Frisian coast our galleys' heads 
Turned, and that level region sighted soon — 
Low as the ocean — where, through many a 

mouth, 
Rhine's waters pass into the Northern sea. 
And by that mouth we entered where doth lie 
Batavia's famous isle — Batavian once. 
Then Roman and now Frank — but showing still, 
In many a solid road and well-built wall, 
And many a fortress fashioned with all skill, 
Strongest the impress of Rome's master hand. 
For Rome doth ever build to last for aye. 
A noted spot hath always been this land 



Si^xird's Narrative 63 

Right at Rhine's mouth. Here, from the gloomy 

depths 
Of the Hercynian Forest came, at first, 
The fierce Batavl and upon this isle 
Founded a habitation and a home; 
Here, later, by that sibyl fair inflamed 
Bructerian, who within the dark tower dwelt, 
Civilis, chafing from his chains unjust, 
Marshaled his doughty clans and fought with 

Rome; 
And here his fleet the son of Drusus formed, 
Wherewith to bear his legions to the Elbe, 
And subjugate the warlike Teuton land — 
A task e'en for Germanicus too great, 
For though in battle thrice his foes he drave 
Before him, yet unconquered was the land, 
And hath remained so till this very day. 
But let me to my narrative return. 
O'er all this low Rhine country now doth rule 
(As well ye know, Burgundians, whose domain 
Borders upon his own) a Frankish king, 
Wise Merovasus, son of Clodion. Him 
Haply I met, and friendly were his words. 
Bidding me tarry long within his realm, 
Or up the Rhine proceed with ships and 

men, 
As my convenience suited. And although 
Pleasant it would have been to linger there 
Tasting the welcome of our new-found friends, 
The wanderer's heart within me drove me on. 



64 Andvari's Rixi^ 

LXVI 

So set we forth once more, 'twixt fertile shores 
Steering, low as the wave, until, at last, 
From out that hollow land of dune and dyke 
Emerging, we to loftier regions came. 
And as our little fleet the noble stream 
Ascended slow, day after day my eyes 
Some thought-compelling spectacle beheld. 
For on our right, with many a tower and town, 
Was Rome, or what was once the Roman realm, 
And on our left the peoples of the North. 
And oft upon the future of this land 
I mused, and wondered whether e'er again 
Would Rome her pristine puissance regain, 
Or whether here the peoples of the North — 
Thy race and mine, king, — should henceforth 

rule. 
And to my mind it seemed that Rome must 

pass, 
That her all-conquering arm must some time fail, 
And her illuming sun must some time sink; 
And, after night, another sun must rise, 
Another day must dawn upon the earth. 
Another race must rule these hills and stream^s, 
Perchance the fair-haired children of the North. 
For such is Nature's way. Empires like men 
Grow old and die, and in their place new 

states, 
Like generations new of men, arise. 



Sigurd's Narrative 65 

LXVII 

Thus musing, day by day, at last I came 
Unto thy realm, here royal welcome found, 
And now join with thee at this festal board 
To celebrate the auspicious hour wherein, 
Seven years ago, thy happy reign began. 

End of Sigurd's Narrative 

LXVIII 

He ceased; and round the mighty table ran 
The applause of many hands ; and from the lips 
Of knights and ladies who, erstwhile, had sat 
Rapt listeners, words of warm approval rose. 
The buzz of many voices filled the air. 
Then Gunter thus : ' ' A gallant tale well told. 
Methinks our brother of the North was bom 
A warrior and a saga-man in one. 
Like the first Cassar, whom our fathers fought, 
The mighty Julius, well he tells his deeds. 
We thank him one and all. But let us not 
Him weary with a feast too long drawn out, 
For after travel nature craves repose. 
One parting cup we'll have, and then goodnight." 

LXIX 

So saying, from his seat he rose and stood, 
Six feet of kingliness, before his guests; 



66 Andvari's Rin^ 

Then, lifting high in air his golden cup, 
Studded with precious stones, and crying, "Sir 

Knights, 
Here's to the ladies! Our sweethearts and our 

wives, 
Our mothers and our sisters! Here's to all!" 
He set the beaker to his bearded lips 
And quaffed, to the last drop, the ruddy wine. 
And likewise did the knights with one accord 
Rise, at the selfsame moment as the king. 
And, standing with uplifted goblets, cry 
*'The Ladies," and drink down the good red 

wine. 
And on the hand of Sigurd, as he held 
His cup aloft and quaffed the ruddy draught, 
Was seen, by those near by, the jewel rare 
Whereof his lips had spoken: the Niblung's 

ring, 
A golden serpent with two ruby eyes, 
Shining, with baleful light, beneath the lamps. 



IV 

THE TOURNAMENT 



Now, that he might still further celebrate 

His coronation's anniversary, and 

Still further entertain his Northland guests, 

Gunter proclaimed a day for manly sports — 

Contests of strength and skill : athletic feats 

And martial exercises manifold. 

Such as all vikings love, for Sigurd's men: 

For the Burgundian knights a tournament. 



II 



Bright rose the summer sun above the Rhine, 
Blazoning the river and the plain beyond, 
Filled, on this morning of the tournament. 
Already with a concourse of brave knights. 
Here, in a spacious meadow, smooth and green. 
Betwixt the city and the forest set. 
Were placed the lists. Here, on the close-cut 
sward, 

67 



68 Andvari's Rin^ 

In shape a giant crescent, gay with flags, 
Rose the pavilion of the king. And here, 
Arrayed in gala-day apparel, drest 
In gowns of every colour, reigned The Pair- 
The dames and damosels of Gunter's court, 
The flowers of Burgundy, high o'er the lists 
Sitting, sweet umpires of the deeds of men. 
Here, of the fair the fairest, sat Gudrun. 



Ill 



Now, when all things were ready, the heralds 

blew 
Their horns; and Sigurd's sailors on the green 
Appeared, guests of the king, and therefore first 
To show their prowess on the listed field. 



IV 



Running and wrestling matches then were seen ; 
Throwing the hammer, vaulting with the pole; 
The tug of war, wherein the brawny crews 
Of Sigurd's ships against each other strove. 
And then the archer's skill the throng engrossed, 
And fencing bouts, and casting the swift spear, 
And other warlike exercises. All 
Of these the crowd beheld with keen delight, 
Greeting with many a cheer or loud ' * Well done ! '* 
The winners of each trial of strength or skill. 



THe Toiirnament 69 



Next comes the chief event, the tournament, 
Wherein two parties of Burgundian knights 
Strive for the victory. Gathered on each side 
Of the great meadow now, impatiently, 
The signal they await. And first a blast 
Preparative the heralds sound, and straight 
The turnpikes of the lists are opened wide, 
And on the level field the knights debouch. 
Gay, clad in glittering mail, a gallant sight, 
Each with his lady's favour round his helm 
Fastened, or from left shoulder hanging free. 
One party in the north end of the field 
Ranges, in the south the other. The heralds next 
A second signal give, and thereupon 
Each cavalier his spear and shield doth dress 
And everything makes ready. Now, at the third 
Blast of the trumpets, lo, they're off! The 

knights 
Put spurs to their good steeds and o'er the field 
Against their adversaries ride full tilt. 
The meadow, beaten by tempestuous hoofs. 
Trembles as in an earthquake; while the din 
Of charging squadrons fills the expectant air. 
(Ah, wildly flutters now each maiden's heart!) 
As two great ocean surges sometimes rush 
Against each other, driven by contrary winds, 
So rush these rival companies of knights 
Each against other and, meeting in midfield, 



70 Andvari's Rin^ 

Shock, with a sound like distant thunder, or 
The boom of the swift surf upon the shore. 
And many a broken lance flew up in air, 
And many a lusty knight to earth was thrown, 
And wildly did the crowd the victors cheer. 

VI 

Then spoke King Gunter unto Sigurd thus : 
^'Wouldst like, Sir Knight, to try a tilt? Al- 
though 
Unused thou art to our Burgundian ways, 
Gallantly I know thou wouldst acquit thyself."' 

VII 

And Sigurd answered: *' Knightly tournament 
Ne'er have mine eyes beheld until this hour. 
Yet from my boyhood to bestride a horse 
Hath been my keen delight; that, and to ride 
The restless waves of ocean, the untamed steeds 
Of the wild waste of waters. The horseman's 

skill, 
Therefore, is mine already, perchance some touch 
Of the tourney's art, all unknown to myself, 
May come to me as down the lists I ride 
Against mine adversary, and I, the esquire. 
May tilt the knight. Yet, if I be o'erthrown. 
What matter? 'Tis but the sport of a summer's 

day, 
And wiser for the lesson shall I be." 



THe To-urnameiit 71 



VIII 



Then Gun ten "Thou dost speak like a true 

knight. 
Our Hagen here will try a tilt with thee, 
The captain of my men-at-arms, the best 
Lance in all Burgundy. Come, Hagen, show 
Our sailor guest how Rhinelanders can joust." 



IX 



And Hagen, grim, black-bearded, with great 

frame 
Teutonic, saying, *'Thy wish is law, my king," 
Stepped down into the lists, and soon appeared 
Armed cap-a-pie, ready for the mimic fray. 



Then yet again spoke Gunter to his guest: 
"Take thou my charger, and my tilting lance, 
Gauntlets and shield, for thine own arms, fair 

knight, 
Are all too serious for our sportful jousts. 
'Tis but mock combat. And if thou wouldst 

wear 
Favour of some sweet lady in the lists, 
As doth beseem knight young and comely, lo, 
Choose from yon bunch of beauties ! " So saying, 

he glanced 



72 Andvari's Rixi^ 

Upward to where, a lily in the midst 
Of clustering roses, sat the fair Gudrun, 
Begirt by the twelve damsels of her bower. 

XI 

And Sigurd: **If it be not overbold, 

Sire, to thus voice the verdict of my eyes, 

This wise my thought doth run : — above, below, 

To right, to left, nothing so beautiful 

As the fair Princess of the realm I see; 

Gudrun, the lily maid of Burgundy. 

Her favour, thou being willing, I fain would 



wear." 



XII 

Then, by her brother bidden, down stept Gudrun 
From that array of beauty, and round the arm 
Of Sigurd bound her favour, a blue sleeve 
Broidered with golden lilies. And as she bound 
Deftly the sleeve she murmured, **Thou, Sir 

Knight, 
My champion art**; and Sigurd answered low, 
*' Princess, with this, thy token, round mine 

arm, 
Methinks I could o'erwhelm a world of men.** 

XIII 

And Sigurd the king's charger mounted and took 
His tilting lance and shield and gauntlets e'en 



THe Tournament 73 

As Gunter him had bidden ; and to the north 
End of the spacious meadow rode and there 
Waited the signal. And Hagen in the south 
His station took, and silent there abode, 
Motionless, gigantic, like some towering shape 
Equestrian, by the sculptor wrought of bronze. 
And Sigurd's horse was snow-white, but the 

steed 
Of Hagen black as midnight was. And thrice 
The trumpets blew, and at the third blast the 

knights — 
Sunshine against shadow — moved to the assault. 

XIV 

And Sigurd dressed his shield and couched his 

spear 
And, putting spurs to his horse, dashed down the 

field 
Like a whirlwind: and the blue sleeve of Gudrun, 
Made fast near his left shoulder, backward 

streamed 
Like pennant in the gale, beheld of all, 
Her favour. And full tilt at Hagen he rode, 
And in the midst of his defences struck 
The Burgundian knight. And Hagen, by the 

shock 
Lifted from out his saddle and backward borne, 
Reeled o'er the crupper of his horse, and fell 
Half a spear's length behind. And on the 

sward, 



74 Andvari's Ring 

Stunned by the fall, all motionless, he lay, 
Seemingly dead. And silent the people sat 
At sight of their great champion overthrown. 
But Gunter cried : * ' Well done, Sigurd ! ' ' And 

the crowd, 
Hearing the king's voice, broke forth into 

cheers. 



XV 



Then came attendants out and Hagen bore. 
Half-conscious, from the lists; and led away 
The sable charger, whinnying for his lord. 
And thus, that day, the sports came to an end. 



XVI 



And Sigurd, dreaming of Gudrun, forgot — 
Or but remembered as light sport — his joust 
With Hagen; but the dark Burgundian knight, 
Being vanquished, forgot not his vanquishment ; 
And, brooding ever o'er the event, hot rage 
Against his vanquisher turned to hatred cold, 
Which, like a venomous serpent, dwelt concealed 
Within his breast, waiting its time to strike. 



V 

SIGURD AND GUDRUN 



Within her bower the Hly maid Gudrun 
Sat with her damsels twelve and with deft hands 
Rich hangings for the palace walls they wrought. 
And of these hangings there were seven, and 

each 
The fair presentment of a deity 
Bore on its front, in divers coloured threads 
Embroidered. The Supernal Powers they were 
To whom the seven days of every week 
Are sacred. Them upon the costly cloth 
The damsels wrought in gorgeous colourings. 



II 



Now as they worked came Sigurd to the bower 
And looked within, and him Gudrun beheld 
And, smiling, cried, ** Enter, my lord. Today 
We maidens toil upon a mighty task. 
These seven hangings for the banquet hall 

75 



76 Andvari's Rizi^ 

We fain would finish. For a year and more 
Them have we worked upon; but now, at last, 
Methinks they're nearly done. Behold, my 
I lord! 

Knowest thou these ancient deities for whom 
The seven days of every week are named?" 

Ill 

And Sigurd answered, "Aye, I know them well." 
Then, gazing on the broideries, each in turn, 
While to his words the lily maid Gudrun 
And all her damsels twelve, a lovely sight, 
Listened with rapt attention, thus he spake. 

IV 

"Behold, of all the first, the golden Sun 

Shining upon this lofty mountain top ! 

The source of light ! The eye of Odin great ! 

All vivifying — all sustaining Power! 

Him do we honour on the week's first day. 

Him do we praise. For what were this dark 

earth 
Without his light — thrice blessed, heavenly light ? 
E'en as the halls of Hela cold, where dwell 
The spirits of the wicked ones, would be 
This world of ours without his glorious lamp ! 



"Next comes Our Lady of the silver moon. 
Her do we honour on the second day. 



Sigvird and Gvidrvin 77 

Well have ye done, fair maids, to paint her 

thus — 
Shining at night upon the tranquil sea, 
Smiling, perchance, upon the mariner 
As homeward to his heart's desire he goes — 
His heart's desire who in her bower doth sit, 
Gazing at Luna and her lane of light, 
And longing for her lover in her arms. 
Ah Moon, fair Moon, how beautiful thou art I 



VI 



"But what a change when to the week's third 

day 
We come! Behold, equipped with helm and 

spear 
And byrnie bright, the one-armed god of war, 
Brave Tyr, whose missing limb the Fenris Wolf 
Tore off, in fury, at the elbow joint ! 
A bright exemplar for us all is Tyr. 
Him must we follow, ladies fair, we men. 
And for our wives and bairns and country dear, 
If so the Fates decree, give limb or life. 
So did god Tyr. So ever do the brave. 



VII 



"What noble shape, all-puissant, have we here? 
Puissant yet sad. The fourth day of the week. 
In honour of great Odin is it named : 



78 Andvari's Rin^ 

Father of gods and men ; of heaven and earth 

The ruler. E'en the realms beneath the earth, 

Where the grim goddess Hela doth pursue 

With lashes punitive, for all their crimes, 

The evil spirits of the underworld, 

His sway acknowledge; and old ocean's king, 

The green-haired ^gir, doth salute him lord. 

Only the pallid Norns do him defy. 

The sisters three of Fate, who sit far off, 

Outside of Time, and the beginning see 

Of all this earthly pageant and the end. 

Above the plains of Ida and the homes 

Of all the gods they dwell, these mystic ones, 

Spinning the thread of life, inscrutable. 

Of aspect beautiful, methinks, are they. 

And yet unpitying, suited to their task; 

For though with prayer and sacrifice we seek 

To turn them from their purpose, 'tis in vain — 

Nor man nor god can change their dread decrees. 

E'en as a maiden from the flax doth spin 

A golden thread and, for a moment's space, 

Gazes upon it, gently handling it. 

Then cuts the thread to its allotted length; 

So do these sisters three the thread of life 

Draw forth from out the unknown and, for a 

space 
Smiling upon it, cut it to its length. 
But to this fair presentment let's return — 
This figure of the father of the gods. 
Upon his throne in Asgard here he sits, 



Si^-urd and G-udrun. 79 

Gazing, perchance, upon the world below. 
He holds within his hand a mighty spear. 
His ravens twain, Hugin and Munin wise, 
Sedately perch upon the high-backed seat; 
While on the floor his fierce and faithful wolves 
Crouch, like great dogs, beside the monarch's 

feet. 
A noble broidery this, fair demoiselles, 
Well suited to the palace of a king. 



VIII 



"Red-bearded Thor, whose golden chariot leaps 
From cloud to cloud, by goats impetuous 

drawn. 
What time in guise of summer shower he comes, 
While heaven re-echoes with his rumbling wheels 
And trembles in affright the deluged earth — 
Red-bearded Thor, girt with the belt of strength, 
Wearing the gloves of steel wherewith he hurls 
Miolnir, his mighty hammer, which returns 
Ever when thrown, into its master's hand — 
Red-bearded Thor, blustering but well-belov'd, 
The idol of each Norseman's heart — to him 
We give all honour on the week's fifth day! 
Behold him now! See how he Miolnir throws! 
The lightning 'tis which from the swollen cloud 
Darts to the earth. Almost, methinks, we 

hear 
The roar and rumble of his chariot wheels. 



8o Andvari's Rin^ 

IX 

"What lovely shape is this? 'Tis Freya fair! 
She who in Greece was Aphrodite called — 
Venus in Rome. Goddess of Love is she, 
Sprung from the foam, child of the surging deeps. 
Forever young, forever beautiful ! 
So we have her all other things are naught, 
Who doth bestow on men the joys of heaven. 
Behold her here, wearing that necklace rare 
Of diamonds fashioned by the mountain dwarfs ! 
In this fair chariot, drawn by cats, she rides 
O'er all the world. The sixth day of the week 
To her is sacred. So these broideries say. 
But any day, methinks, we'd welcome her 
Who lights within our hearts the flame divine. 
What think you ladies? Ah, your blushes deep 
Disclose the hidden promptings of the soul. 



"Old Saturn, eldest of the gods of Rome, 
Him have we last. To him the seventh day 
Is dedicated. Here we see him stand, 
Holding within his hand a pruning knife, 
Who first taught agriculture and the arts 
In ancient Italy. The golden days 
Were his when plenty filled the fruitful land 
And war was not — the old Saturnian Age. 
Roman, not Scandian, was this ancient god; 



Sigurd and Gvidrvin 8l 

But he so well-beloved was, I trow, 

That men cared never to forget his name." 



XI 



Earl Sigurd ceased. Then thus the fair Gudrun : 

** Thanks noble lord. So erudite thou art 

We maids, sometimes, could scarcely follow 

thee. 
Yet did we understand, as women do, 
That what thou saidst was ever true and wise. 
Thrice valued now these broideries fair will be 
Since thou so eloquently hast rehearsed 
The story and significance of each.'* 



XII 



To whom Earl Sigurd, "Nay, my Princess, nay. 
Thou must not flatter me. Yet if to thee 
It seem that I have earned, by my discourse. 
Some favour at thy hands, I'll name it straight. 
What sayst thou to a ramble by old Rhine? 
Never, since first I knew him, have appeared 
So beautiful his waters as this eve. 
See how they shine, lit by the setting sun, 
Which soon behind yon mighty forest wall 
Will disappear, bidding adieu to earth. 
Soon falls the summer twilight on the world — 
The magic summer twilight long and sweet. 
The air is cool and pleasant. Wilt thou go?" 



82 Andvari's Rixi^ 

XIII 

And smiled Gudrun and answered, *'Aye, my 

lord." 
And out across the meadows went the twain, 
Leaving within the bower the damsels twelve. 
And up the path beside the golden Rhine, 
They wandered, while the day to twilight turned, 
And overhead, among the branches, sang 
The sweet-voiced birds their evening roundelays. 



XIV 



Sometimes, in this too fickle world, we see 
A youth and maiden to their hearts' first choice 
Constant, none other loving from that hour 
When first they meet till death doth part them. 

So 
Chances it now with Sigurd and Gudrun. 
Love at first sight: true love without a break 
Till death doth part them. Thus it is sometimes. 



VI 

IN THE ODENWALD 



Now, as they hunted in the Odenwald 
One day, King Gunter to Earl Sigurd thus; 



II 



*'Dost thou remember the adventure bold 
Whereof I spoke when first we met ? Since then 
Naught of the matter have my lips disclosed 
To thee, though near my heart it lies; but now, 
Today, as through the forest's depths we ride, 
Meseems my spirit would divulge itself. 
List to my tale and tell me then thy thought. 



Ill 



*'Far off, in the great northern ocean, lies 
A sacred island, Helgoland; of gods 
And goddesses a trysting place; a haunt 
Beloved of Odin. Here, upon a rock, 

83 



84 Andvari's Rin^ 

Circled by fire (so sing the ancient skalds), 
Sleeps Brynhild, Odin's daughter fair, erstwhile 
A valkyr, now, for some rash, wilful act 
Of disobedience to her sire divine, 
Condemned by him to everlasting sleep. 
Yet did the All-Father this one daughter love 
More than all other of his children. Woe 
Filled, when he banished her, his mighty heart. 
And thus he tempered, so, at least, 'tis said, 
His mandate of perpetual slumber. If 
Among earth's heroes could be found a man 
Fearless enough and skilful to essay 
Successfully the wall of fire and gain 
The rock within, fair Brynhild should be his. 
Thus runs the story, and for many a year 
My heart hath brooded o'er it. Dost thou 

think, 
Sigurd, 'tis true, or but a poet*s dream?" 



IV 



And Sigurd answered: "Sire, methinks *tis 

true. 
Myself an hundred times have heard the tale. 
And in that seaport old, upon the coast 
Of Norroway, where I my galleys bought, 
A chart I saw which to an ancient man 
Belonged, who all his life upon the deep 
Had dwelt, half trader and half pirate red. 
A chart of that low region where the Rhine 



In tKe Odenwald 85 

Empties, through many a mouth, into the sea; 
And Frisia's coast, with sandy isles befringed; 
And farther east, that land of fen and fiord 
Which, jutting into ocean, northward runs 
For many a misty league (in shape, methinks, 
Like upcurled prow of some war-galley huge 
Breasting the North Sea's waves) ; that land yclept 
By Rome the Cimbric Chersonese, where dwell 
Angles and Jutlanders and Saxons bold. 
And on this chart was plotted Helgoland, 
The sacred island. He, himself, ofttimes, 
Slow-sailing by (at least so, volubly. 
Maintained this ancient mariner), had beheld, 
Especially at night, the magic fire 
Circling the lonely cliff. And I the chart 
Purchased, thereafter, for a silver cup — 
Part of the Niblung's Hoard — and still possess. 
For ere I came to this Burgundian land 
My purpose 'twas to explore the sacred isle. 
Now, as thou knowest, except the lily maid 
Gudrun, no goddess fair do I desire." 



At this the king smiled slightly, then went on : 
" Oft hath my spirit longed to make the attempt, 
And win the child of Odin for my bride. 
Methinks her imprisoned soul aye beckons me 
From out that ring of flame. But I — to leave 
My kingdom and upon that wild emprise 



86 Anclvari's Rin^ 

To embark? To go upon a quest for what — 
A maid? 'Tis passing difficult. Peoples bold — 
Goths, Vandals, Franks — surround me. Far in 

the east, 
Beside the Danube, gather the restless hordes 
Of Attila the Hun, like tempest fierce 
Soon to affright the earth. And in the south 
Rome, slowly dying, lies; a lion old 
Beset by hungry wolves; a conqueror once, 
Defenceless now. War, everywhere 'tis war! 
Is't not so, Sigurd? My duty lies at home; 
At least, to me so seems it. To safeguard 
His kingdom is the king's first task, and ne'er 
Should private joys outweigh the public weal. 
Alas, fair Brynhild, daughter of the gods, 
Thou callst to me in vain! 'Tis but a dream!" 



VI 



Then Sigurd: "Sire, can I not serve thee? 

Well 
Thou knowest whate'er I can I'll gladly do." 



VII 



And Gunter answered: "Aye, if thou wilt, 

thou canst. 
Thou, Sigurd, thou art free. Already thou 
Hast left thy father's land and roamst to and fro 
Unhampered. Like the eagle's thy strong flight 



In tKe Oden^vald 87 

No boundaries knows. Go thou upon the quest; 
I'll trust thee; and bring back the valkyr maid 
To Burgundy. Hagen I'll send along; 
In peril's hour, perchance, thy life he'll keep. 
A tower of strength thou'lt find him. For 

reward 
Take thou the lily maiden of our realm, 
Gudrun. Methinks thine eyes have found her 

fair. 
Two weddings will we have on thy return — 
Brynhild and Gunter, Sigurd and Gudrun. 
What sayest thou to my project, brother mine? '* 



VIII 



And Sigurd, loath to leave Gudrun, but joyed 
By this adventure bold to win his bride, 
Answered: '"Tis a bargain. Straightway will 

I sail. 
We'll go and come before the summer dies." 



VII 

THE VALKYR 



Then Sigurd his three ships made ready; oars 
And sails were overhauled; a pennant gay, 
Wrought by the fingers of the fair Gudrun — 
A golden fleur-de-lis on field of blue — 
The Dragon's masthead graced; and for a cruise 
The fleet was victualed. Many a barrel stout 
Of ale and meal and salted beef and pork 
Beneath the thwarts was stowed; and water 

casks, 
Filled from the sparkling Rhine, were not forgot. 
And when all things were ready and the day 
Dawned brightly of departure came the king. 
With all his court, down to the river bank 
To say good-bye. And at the last there stood 
Together, in a little group apart, 
Gunter and Hagen, Sigurd and Gudrun. 
And Sigurd grasped King Gunter' s hand and 

then, 
Before the eyes of all, stooping, he kissed, 

88 



TKe ValKyr 89 

Upon her dewy lips, the sweet Gudrun — 
Betrothed lovers' parting kiss — a draught] 
Wherein, in equal quantities, are mixed 
Sweetness and sorrow, bitternes and bliss. 
Then Sigurd straightway sought his dragon ship, 
And with him went the dark Burgundian knight, 
Hagen, and on the after-deck they stood 
Together, waving farewells to the shore. 
And when, beyond her ken, the last dim sail 
Had vanished, o'er the spirit of Gudrun 
Black grief descended and, all desolate, — 
Her life a world without its sun — she wept. 



II 



Then down the winding Rhine the little fleet, 
Past lands of friends and foemen, made its 

way; 
And, reaching open sea, the Frisian coast — 
Low-lying, fringed with many a sandy isle- 
Skirted (as by the ancient trader's chart 
Directed) and then left the land behind, 
Northward and eastward steering, till at last, 
Out of the level ocean Sigurd saw 
The red cliffs of the sacred island rise. 
And on the island's top a ring of flame 
Burned, by the hand of Odin lit, and here. 
Within that fiery ring, so sang the skald, 
Upon a rock, the valkyr, Brynhild, slept. 
And Sigurd on the sandy spit below 



90 Andvari's Rin^ 

His galleys beached and then, ere nightfall, 

bade 
His mariners their evening meal prepare. 



Ill 



Now when the early summer sun its beams 
Cast o'er the sea and dyed to deeper red 
The ruddy cliffs of Helgoland uprose 
Sigurd and Hagen and, upon the sands 
Leaving the busy, bustling crews, essayed 
The steep ascent to Brynhild's rocky bower. 
Sheer from the sea on every side upsprang 
This island height, but Sigurd found a path, 
Unseen at first, which, starting from the beach, 
In many a zigzag, to the summit clomb ; 
And up this path he, leading, made his way. 
But Hagen, heavy and of foot unsure, 
Though long he strove, at last, from very fear 
Of loss of limb or life, gave up the attempt, 
And all chagrined, sat down upon the sand. 



IV 



Now as he neared the summit a grey cloud 
Enveloped Sigurd and with slower steps 
He clambered till, all suddenly, he beheld, 
Barring his pathway, lurid in the mist. 
The wall of fire which girt the valkyr maid. 
And as he for a moment paused a shape 



TKe ValKyr 91 

Unearthly close beside him he perceived; 
A shape seen once before by him, what time, 
In the deep forest, Fafnir's lair he sought ; 
A shape one-eyed and huge, with great slouched 

hat 
Topping its golden locks, and a blue cloak 
Covering its shoulders. Odin 'twas, in truth: 
Odin, All-Father, watching o'er his child. 
Thus then the god: "Whither away, my lad? 
What seekst thou on this hilltop? " And to him 
Sigurd replied : * ' The valkyr maid I seek, 
Brynhild, whom on this rocky island-height, 
Girt by a wall of living fire, thy hand 
Hath prisoned!" Then the god Valhallan thus: 
*'Woe — woe she'll bring thee, Sigurd. Would 

that I 
Power had to stop thee, but the mystic Norns 
Have willed it, and no man escapes his fate. 
Woe brings the valkyr maiden — woe and death ! " 
But Sigurd : * ' Unto Gunter have I pledged 
My word. I've sworn to fetch the maiden 

back." 
Then Odin : ' * Aye, the hour foretold hath come. 
'Tis written in the book of Fate that thou, 
And thou alone, shouldst set the maiden free. 
Go on, my lad. Thy promise keep. What 

comes 
Must come. Yon wall of magic fire which lifts 
So terribly its forked crest and bars 
Against all other men this mountain top 



92 Andvari's Ring 

Thee cannot harm. Fear not, my lad. Fare- 
well!" 

With that he vanished. Then into the flame 

Plunged Sigurd, sword in hand, and from the 
flame 

Issued, upon the other side, unscathed. 



Now when into that silent spot — that isle 
By fiery billows girt — had Sigurd come 
His eyes beheld, within a craggy niche, 
O'er which an ancient pine-tree sentry stood. 
The figure of the valkyr maiden couched 
Upon a moss-grov/n rock. Closed were her eyes 
As if in sleep ; her tresses beautiful 
From underneath her winged helmet fled 
Adown the mossy pillow; her long shield 
Covered her body; and her valkyr spear 
Beside her rested. Motionless she lay 
As in some stately mausoleum lies 
A sculptured form of marble. Thus, for years 
Unnumbered had she slept, by Odin's power 
Preserved from perils of the earth and air — 
Fair daughter of the father of the gods. 
And Sigurd, lifting up the shield, beheld 
A maiden-form in snow-white samite gowned, 
But bodiced in a warrior's byrnie bright. 
And, for a time, all motionless he stood, 
Gazing upon the sight, and in his mind 



The ValKyr 93 

What next to do revolving. Then beside 
The moss-grown rock falling upon one knee — 
E'en as 'twas written in the book of Fate — 
He kissed the cold lips of the valkyr maid. 



VI 



As, at the kiss of spring-time, open wide 
The violet's eyes, so now, at Sigurd's kiss, 
Opened the blue eyes of the valkyr maid: 
And as, in April, through all nature runs 
New life and warmth, and sleeping earth awakes, 
So now, through Brynhild's sleeping form new life 
Surged warm and, like sweet April, she awoke. 



VII 



* * Who art thou that above me bendest ? Naught 
Remember I since to this lonely isle 
My father Odin brought me, and with fire 
Begirt the rocky couch whereon I lay. 
Who art thou? And whence comest thou? 
Answer me!" 



VIII 



Thus spake the valkyr maiden; and to her 
Sigurd replied: ** My name is Sigurd, Thee 
I sought that I might bear thee to the land 
Of the Burgundians. Gunter waits thee there. 
A noble king doth crave thee for his bride." 



94 Andvari's Rin^ 

IX 

*'And hast thou, then, a bride already?" Thus 
Brynhild. And Sigurd answered: *'Nay, fair 

maid, 
No bride have I. Yet do I hope, ere long, 
A bride to claim. When thou dost Gunter wed, 
On that same day weds Gunter's sister me: 
Gudrun, the lily maid of Burgundy." 



This hearing, from her couch the valkyr rose 
And, leaving spear and shield behind her, passed 
From out the grotto — silent — pale — and stood 
A little space away. Then thus she spoke : 

XI 

"And hath it come to this? Alas! Alas! 
Must I, a daughter of the mighty gods, 
Be wedded to this mortal who, although 
A king he calls himself, is but a churl 
To me? O, father Odin, was my fault 
So grievous? Have I not enough atoned? 
My punishment is more than I can bear!" 

XII 

So saying, in her hands she bowed her head. 
Crowned by the winged helmet, and with tears 
Bitter bewailed her miserable lot. 



The ValKyr 95 

XIII 

Then Sigurd gently to the maiden spoke : 
"Weep not, sweet lady. 'Tis the way of life. 
What man is free? What woman? All are 

slaves. 
Are not the mighty gods, e'en like ourselves, 
Bound by the chains of Fate? In Odin's heart 
Reigns not deep ceaseless sorrow? Aye, my 

girl. 
If he, thy father, to this lot consigned 
His best-beloved daughter 'twas because 
Unto his eyes no other way appeared. 
Brynhild, weep not, but drink the cup which 

Fate 
Sets to thy lips and, though it be bitter, smile 
And make the most of life. Unto us all, 
Both gods and men, 'tis mystery. Come, sweet 

maid. 
Far from this lonely mountain summit, down 
Into the world, we'll go, and thou, once more, ■ 
Shalt live, e'en though within a lowlier sphere 
Confined. Behold, the magic fire is dead 
Which erstwhile girt thee round, and from this 

cliff 
Thine eyes can see my galleys on the beach. 
Soon in the deep blue water will they ride 
Once more, as toward the fair Burgundian shores 
Brynhild they bear. And in that alien land, 
Whate'er betide thee, thy unfaltering friend, 



gS Andvari's Ring 

True as the magnet to the steel, I'll be. 
Come, Brynhild, come. Forget thy valkyr life. 
Or, rather, forget not, but let it be 
A golden memory which, like a fair lamp, 
Shall light thy soul in many a dreary hour. 
And in that future vast toward which we move — ■ 
Of which, e'en now, we are a part — perchance 
Thou to those higher regions shalt return, 
And of that freer life once more partake ; — 
A valkyr, bearing to Valhalla's halls, 
With tender, ministering hands, the souls 
Of heroes in their earthly fight o'erwhelmed." 

XIV 

"Like Bragi dost thou speak; like Bragi, god 
Of eloquence and poetry and song. 
Methinks, some day, thou wilt be one of those 
Who sit around my father Odin's board." 

XV 

Thus Brynhild; and to her Sigurd replied: 
"Perchance, then, in that life to come, amidst 
Valhalla's glories, once more will we meet. 
But, whatsoe'er the future brings, thy path 
Today leads toward the Rhine. Is it not so? 
Believe me, Brynhild, there's no other way." 

XVI 

She bowed assent; and down the ruddy cliffs, 
Each ever and anon the other's hand 



The ValKyr 97 

Clasping, they went; he out into the world 
Unknown that haughty spirit leading, once 
A valkyr, now a woman. And within 
The cabin of the Dragon (which, betimes, 
E'en by Gudrun's deft hands, had been prepared 
For this fair guest, with tapestries all hung, 
And stored with gowns and gems such as befit 
A maiden's bower) he placed her, and himself 
And Hrgen on the after-deck above. 
Out where the winds and waters sang, abode. 

XVII 

Then o*er the deep the Dragon led the way, 
The Wolf and Bear close following, and astern — 
Bereft henceforward of their crown of fire — 
Faded the ruddy cliffs of Helgoland. 



VIII 
SIGURD AND GUNTER 



*'Now comes once more the ancient feast of 

Yule, 
Now comes once more that joyous festival 
Which men, from immemorial time, have held 
Supreme, above all others taking rank, 
And justly, so it ever seemed to me. 
For what is it we celebrate? Is't not 
A heavenly circumstance of import high 
All slighter things transcending? Is it not 
The time when the great Sun, the wheel of fire, 
The source of light and life and all that is, 
The golden symbol of All-Father's eye, 
Ceases henceforward to withdraw himself 
(Each daily visit briefer than the last) 
And, turning in his course, all reconciled, 
Comes back to earth with ever-lengthening 

strides : — 
With outstretched arms and kindly-beaming 

face 

98 



Si^\jrd and Gxinter 99 

Comes back once more to earth, in darkness 

wrapt 
Perpetual but for him; darkness like that 
Which in the shadowy halls of Hela reigns — 
Pale goddess subterrene, whose realms receive 
The souls of the unrighteous after death? 
Aye, this it is we celebrate; this hour 
Supreme, with brightest consequences fraught. 
A season for rejoicing, then, is Yule; 
A season, therefore, so it seems to me, 
Well-fitted for our nuptials. What thinkst 

thou?" 



II 



Thus Gunter, King of the Burgundians, spoke 
To Sigurd as, within a spacious room 
Of that old Roman palace by the Rhine, 
Beside a fire of mighty logs, they stood. 



Ill 



And Sigurd answered : * * Sire, betrothed am I 
To thy fair sister and, like lovers all. 
Too soon for me the happy wedding day , 
E'en though it were tomorrow, cannot come." 



IV 



To whom then Gunter thus, whose cloudy brow 
Bespoke the troubled soul which dwelt within : 



lOO Andvari's Rin^ 

**Like thine is my desire, and 'twas my plan 
To celebrate our nuptials, thine and mine, 
Close-following the return from Helgoland. 
But ever more the haughty valkyr maid, 
"With this and that excuse, hath put me off. 
Till 'nay, * at last, no longer could she speak. 
And hath at Yule-tide promised to be mine. 
Methinks, sometimes, she loves me not; and yet 
Her deeply do I love. My brightest dreams 
Of what she'd be, compared with what she is. 
Were like the frescoed figure on the wall 
Matched with the beauty of the living maid; 
And for the hour which makes us one I long. 
And yet, if she doth love me not, what good? 
*Tis but the shadow that I clasp; 'tis but 
The garment of the soul, however fair. 
That mine becomes; the substance hath escaped. 
Would that her valkyr spirit I could win, 
And merge her life with mine! But, ah, to love 
Brings not love in return, and marble-cold 
Meseems she stands — far, far beyond my reach. 
Alas, the poorest swain who ploughs the earth. 
Or sails the sea, and holds some woman's heart 
All, all his own, is happier far than I." 



He ceased and gazing out upon the Rhine 

Remained, all silent, for a little space, 

Then spoke again : " Nathless our wedding day 



Sig'vird and G\jnter loi 

We'll celebrate, my Sigurd, thou and I: 
Perchance with better knowledge of her spouse 
Brynhild may love me better. As for thee 
Already art thou sun and moon and stars 
And heaven's transcendent brightness to 
Gudrun." 



IX 

YULE-TIDE AT THE COURT OF KING 

GUNTER 



(Including the Song of Olaf the Red) 

Yule-tide ! And in King Gunter's palace reigns 
Revelry such as ne'er before was seen, 
By oldest greybeard, in all Burgundy! 
For is it not the hour auspicious, set 
E'en by the merry-hearted king himself, 
When here have met, from far and near, the 

guests 
To celebrate, with feasting and with song, 
After the manner of the olden time. 
The double wedding? Is it not the hour 
Blest by the presence of all-knowing Var, 
Goddess of marriage, who to lovers' vows 
Listens attentive, and who broken troth 
Doth ever punish? Is it not the hour 
Dedicate not alone to love's delights 
But also to the gaieties of Yule — 
Mad, merry Yule? Let laughter unconfined 
Reign, therefore, and illimitable joy! 

102 



Yvale-tidle at G\inter*s Co\irt 103 

II 

Now are the guests all gathered in the hall, 

Which almost like the greenwood doth appear, 

With holly hung and sacred mistletoe. 

Now ready are the harpers with their harps, 

And lighted are the mighty logs of Yule. 

Now, wreathed in green, an apple in his mouth, 

As ancient custom bids, and borne aloft 

By lackeys tall, the smoking Boar's Head comes. 



Ill 



Upon the dais, with the merry court 
To right and left, and guests resplendent, sat 
Gunter and Brynhild, Sigurd and Gudrun. 
Brightly upon the finger of each bride 
Sparkled the wedding-ring; on Brynhild's brow, 
Marking before the world her queenly state. 
Glittered a golden crown with diamonds set; 
And round the white neck of Gudrun, the gift 
Of Sigurd, hung a string of lustrous pearls, 
Precious beyond compare, chief ornament 
Of the dark Niblung's Hoard. As mariner 
Watches, by night, the Cynosure, his eyes 
Ever to it returning, so all eyes 
In that great hall the bridal-party watched; 
Ever returning, irresistibly 
Drawn from all other things of lesser note. 
To dwell upon that constellation bright. 



104 Andvari's Rin^ 

IV 

Below, at the great table, filled with cheer. 
Which ran the whole length of the mighty hall 
From door to dais, Gunter's men-at-arms 
Feasted with merry din; and them among. 
Each tar between two spearmen, that the guest 
Might want for nothing, Sigurd's vikings sat. 
E'en thus, upon that memorable night 
When first they met, six months ago, they sat, 
In golden summer when the days were long. 
And round and round the mighty drinking-horns 
Passed with the nut-brown ale or sparkling mead, 
Passed, with their precious freight, from lip to 

lip. 
Ever to be replenished and repass, 
Filled from great casks within the cellar stored. 
And Norseman and Burgundian drank *'Was- 

hael!" 
Each to the other, and ere the bearded lips 
Were dry, "Skoel to the viking!" and again 
"Prosit!" and mellow friendship ruled the hour, 
For Bacchus doth make brothers of us all. 
And in the middle of the wassail, lo! 
Twelve harpers good, beside the dais stair 
Stationed, where all could hear their symphonies, 
Struck string and, to their music keeping step, 
Entered King Momus, from a hidden door 
Issuing upon the hall — Lord of Misrule — 
Followed apace by all his motley crew. 



"Yxile-tide at G\inter*s Court 105 

And some — like Momus, sovereign lord, him- 
self— 
Were masked and others like the foolish 

clown 
Painted who to this day, at merry Yule, 
Disports with columbine and harlequin. 
And round and round the mighty hall they 

went, 
As mummers will, with all extravagance; 
These marching with a mock solemnity, 
Those — men and maidens in apparel gay — 
Their skill terpsichorean setting forth 
In pantomimic dance fantastical. 
And others yet to wake the mirthful laugh 
Seeking with antics of the-primal fool — 
Horse-play and somersaults, coarse mimicry. 
Tooting of horns and many another trick 
Ancient as is the zany's ancient art. 
And when, at last, it seemed that long enough 
Had folly and unreason gross held sway, 
Gunter a signal gave, and the twelve skalds 
Their music ceased. And as a fair jet d'eau. 
Rising from sculptured fountain high in air, 
Suddenly falls when cut off is the stream. 
So, suddenly, when the music ended, ceased 
The hurly-burly in King Gunter's hall. 
And at the oaken board old Momus found 
A vacant place, and of his mummers some 
Beside him perched and others round about 
Or sat or lay upon the rush-strewn floor. 



io6 Andvari's Ring^ 



Then, at the bidding of the king, stept forth, 
With harp in hand, from out the throng of 

skalds, 
An ancient bard, Olaf the Red yclept. 
Who had with Sigurd from the Northland come. 
White were his locks as those of Hoder old, 
Though ruddy as the beard of Thor they'd been 
In younger days, when he his surname got. 
Noble his bearing. One of those was he 
Who voice the passions of the human heart. 
Or paint the deeds of the heroic past. 
One of that gifted company (although 
Naught but a lowly neophyte) to which 
Belong great Homer and the Mantuan bard 
Illustrious, high priests of the epic muse. 
Oft in the presence of the enemy's fleet 
His battle song he'd sung, or at the feasts 
Of kings chanted adventures wild and weird. 
Of gods and goddesses tonight he sang, 
And chiefly of that valiant deity 
Who ever with the mountain giants fought — 
Bluff Thor, the idol of all Scandian hearts. 

(The Song of Olaf the Red) 

VI 

Thus ran his song. Once did the green-haired 

god 
Who dwells within the illimitable deep, 



Y\xle-tide at G\Jnter*s Co\art 107 

^gir, prepare a banquet for the gods 
Whose home is highest heaven; and to the halls 
Of ocean came, a glorious company, 
Upon the day appointed for the event, 
The mighty ones of Asgard. Round the board 
Of ^gir now they sit, those peerless ones. 
Drinking the nut-brown ale and foaming mead. 
Behold, upon the right hand of the host, 
Odin enthroned, father of gods and men, 
Ruler of heaven and earth, whose will is law 
Through all the vast expanse save when athwart 
The purposes it runs of the pale Norns, 
The sisters three inscrutable who sit 
Beside the ash-tree Ygdrasil and hold 
Within their hands the thread of every life: 
The sisters three of Fate unchangeable — 
The Past, the Present and the Future — XJrd, 
Verdandi, Skuld— them— them alone he dreads; 
The mystic ones who sit above the gods, 
And the beginning and the end behold 
Of all created things. Pleasure today 
Lights the All-Father's visage, where doth dwell 
Sadness too often, sadness at the lot 
Of human kind. Gracious his mien divine, 
As in the halls of ^gir now he sits. 
Amongst the gods and goddesses, his mead 
Nectarean drinking, and ever and anon 
Feeding with morsels from the banquet board 
His ravens twain, Hugin and Munin, who 
Him tidings bring from earth's remotest parts, 



io8 Andvari's Rin^ 

Or bear his mandate to contending hosts. 
Upon the high back of their master's chair 
Now rest these sable messengers, while crouch 
About the monarch's feet, like faithful dogs, 
The two grey wolves who ever him attend. 
Them likewise doth he feed with morsels rare. 



VII 



Beside the wise All-Father Frigga sits, 
His spouse and queen, goddess of wedded love, 
Of spotless chastity, and motherhood. 
And all the sacred virtues of the home. 
Stern guardian of the marriage bond is she. 
And oft her voice upbraiding Odin hears. 
For hard it is Frigga to always please. 
Nathless no hypocrite is Odin's queen. 
A virtuous wife she dwells beside her lord. 
And in her life exemplifies her words. 



VIII 



Next to his mother Frigga now behold 
Bright Balder; he of all the mighty gods 
The best-beloved and most beautiful. 
God of the Sun, lord of the summer-time. 
The source of light and life and all things fair, 
Who doth not Balder love? In all this world. 
So sang the ancient skalds, naught could be 
found. 



Y"ule-tide at G-unter's Co-urt 109 

Nor man, nor beast, nor bird, nor stock, nor 

stone, 
That loved not Balder: naught save one small 

shrub. 
The mistletoe yclept; and with a twig 
From this ill-fated plant, thrown by the hand 
Of Hoder blind (whom Loki's wicked spleen 
Trickt to the deed) was beauteous Balder slain. 
Yet doth he rise each year from Hela 's gloom, 
Renewed, immortal, glorious as of old, 
God of the summer sunshine evermore. 
Close by his side the gentle Nanna sits. 
His faithful spouse who, when bright Balder 

died, 
Herself — who did subsist upon his love — ■ 
Perished of sorrow inconsolable. 
Yet like her lord from Hela doth she rise, 
What time the golden Spring returns to earth, 
Holp from those gloomy depths by his strong 

arm. 



IX 



Tyr next we see, the one-armed god of war, 
His missing limb by the fierce Fenris wolf 
Torn from his body. For when the Asgard 

gods 
Sought to securely bind the Fenris Wolf 
(Which is a symbol of devouring fire, 
All-devastating, uncontrollable) — 



no Andvari's Ring 

Ne'er would he stand at rest unless a god, 
As pledge of fair intent, would place his arm 
Betwixt the creature's jaws. This then did Tyr. 
But when the wolf, betrayed and bound at last, 
His fate perceived he, in revengeful rage, 
Tyr's arm tore off below the elbow joint. 
Thus Tyr, to save the world, gave up his arm, 
And, if 'twere needful, would have given his life, 
As ever have the brave, or gods or men, 
Done, without question, for the common-weal. 



Here likewise Loki sits, the god perverse, 
The mischief-maker sly, the evil one. 
Scoffer at all things by the gods held good. 
Father of lies, of wickedness the source. 
If trouble came 'twas ever Loki's fault, 
If discord rose false Loki was the cause. 
Evil to him seemed good, and what the gods 
Eschewed as wicked aye was his delight, 
So full of all perverseness was his heart. 
Him did the gods of Asgard for a while 
Suffer to roam at will through earth and heaven, 
But came a time when e'en the All-Father wise 
Lost patience with his son and to a rock 
Fast chained him, with a viper overhead, 
Which ever dropt its poison on his breast. 
But who so wicked that no woman's heart 
He hath to love him? None — nor man nor god. 



"Y\ile-tide at Gunter's Court iii 

And to the rock with Loki went his wife 
Siguna, and beside him ever sits, 
Catching the viper's poison in a cup, 
Ere on her husband's naked breast it falls. 



XI 



And here, a deity benign, sits Frey, 

To whom the Scandian farmer every prays 

For plenteous crops; who rain and sunshine 

sends, 
Each as 'tis needed, and propitious airs, 
And at the last a harvest bountiful. 
The son of Niord, an ancient ocean god. 
Who ruled the coasts as ^gir ruled the deep, 
Was Frey, and fair his sister as himself, 
Freya, aye fairer, for in heaven or earth 
What lovelier thing than Freya doth exist, 
Goddess of youth and beauty and of love? 
Behold them sitting now in ^gir's hall, 
Freya and Frey, the children beautiful 
"Whom Niord unto the gods of Asgard gave ! 
As in a brooch a pearl of ocean shines 
Among a score of gems (though past all price 
These others be, yet none is like the pearl 
In lustre soft and milk-white loveliness) 
So doth this daughter of the ocean god, 
This foam-sprung Aphrodite of the North, 
Among the mighty ones of Asgard shine, 
Forever young, forever beautiful. 



112 Andvari's Rin^ 

XII 

And here, long-bearded, like the bard who tells 

This tale tonight in Gunter's palace, sits 

Bragi, of song and eloquence the god. 

A wondrous harp within his hand he holds, 

And ofttimes to the gods and goddesses 

He sings, and of all skalds the best is he. 

Next to him sits his spouse, Iduna fair, 

She who the apples of immortal life 

Doth keep. For when the gods and goddesses 

Aweary are, and feel the hand of Time 

Bearing upon them, straightway do they seek 

That garden where Iduna's apples grow, 

Which having eaten, youth returns again. 

So wondrous potent is the golden fruit. 

XIII 

Here likewise Vidar sits, the silent one, 
Who doth the deep primeval forest love. 
Seldom among the gods to banquet board 
He comes, but in the impenetrable wood 
Abides by preference; and when in the halls 
Of Asgard, or on Ida's flowery plain. 
At times, he shows, always an air he hath 
Distrait, as though within the silent wood, 
Rather than in the glittering palaces 
Among the Asas bright, he longed to be. 
But ^gir doth he love, and to the feast 



Y"ule-tide at G\jnter*s Covirt 113 

Of ocean's god hath come — a happy guest — 
And in his rightful place he sits today. 

XIV 

And ancient Hoenir likewise here doth sit, 
And Vali strong, and wise Forseti, god 
Of justice, who all rulers doth inspire 
That seek his aid; lies cannot them deceive, 
But even-handed justice they dispense; 
And Heimdal, keeper of the rainbow bridge 
O'er which the gods and goddesses to earth 
Descend and, when their missions are fulfilled, . 
Ascend, a bright procession, to the skies; 
And Hoder blind, that god unfortunate 
Who, trickt by Loki's mischief-making guile, 
The beauteous Balder slew; and Hermod swift. 
Who to the gloomy gates of Hela's realm 
Descended, and that goddess importuned, 
For many days, bright Balder to release, 
But no — all unavailing was his quest; 
And Rinda, goddess of the wintry earth; 
And Uller, bowman famous, who to hunt 
On snow-shoes o'er the white snow-surface loves. 
These and yet other gods and goddesses 
Of rank distinguished, now within the halls 
Of ^gir sit — a glorious company. 

XV 

Last but not least, here sits the Thunder-God, 
Impetuous, fierce, yet kind of heart withal; 



114 Andvari's Rin^ 

The hero of a hundred cherished tales 
Told by the saga-man in smoky hall, 
Or chanted by the bard at banquet board, 
Or crooned by Norseland mother to her child; 
Here now he sits who with the giants huge 
Doth ever love to fight, and goblins fierce; 
Red-bearded Thor, of all the many sons 
Of Odin, nearest to the Norseman's heart. 



XVI 



Now in the middle of the mighty feast, 
As round and round the foaming horns of ale 
Were passing, and in every heart joy reigned. 
The green-haired ^gir thus addressed his guests: 

XVII 

*' Vast are my stores of mead and ale and none 
Has ever from my table thirsty gone, 
But I of something better far have heard 
Than these great horns which, fix it as we may. 
Ever and ever must replenished be. 
Something it is, in truth, most wonderful, , 
Not understandable the thing by me, 
And yet assured am I it doth exist." 

XVIII 

He paused a moment; on the ancient god 
All eyes were turned ;]then s lowly he went on. 



Yule-tide at Gunter's Court 115 

XIX 

*'What say ye, Asas, to a wondrous cup, 
Which none can drain, made by the cunning 

dwarfs 
Who dwell within the bowels of the earth? 
A vessel from whose depths the fragrant ale 
Forever issues, foaming like a force? 
A magic goblet which nor man nor god 
Nor mountain giant horrible and huge 
Can empty, though from eve to morn he drink, 
And then again from morn till dusky eve? 
What say ye, Asas, to a cup like this?** 

XX 

His emerald locks the King of Ocean shook, 
Smiled to himself and then again went on: 

XXI 

"Far in the North 'tis held, this magic cup. 
And would ye know, ye gods and goddesses, 
Who dwell in heaven, and tread the flowery 

plains 
Of Ida, and upon the rainbow bridge 
Descend, a bright procession, or ascend. 
And drink the mead of Odin, would ye know 
What churl profane hath gotten this rare prize? 
Old Skrymer, of the mountain giants king ! 
By him and them and all their kin 'tis used — 



Ii6 'Andtvari's Rin^ 

A jewel bright within the snouts of swine. 

By heavens ! Old though I be, I've often thought 

Myself would some day strive, by craft or force, 

To get possession of this wondrous cup. 

What think ye, Asas? 'Twere a glorious deed." 

XXII 

Intently listened all. Then from his seat 
Uprose the Thunder-God — red-bearded Thor — 
And thus, with many a fiery gesture, spake: 

XXIII 

"To me belongs this deed. To me who aye 
Have fought with giants and hobgoblins fierce! 
Their tricks I know: their deep deceptive ways. 
'Tis ever my delight to harass them. 
Therefore if me the All-Father will permit, 
Straightway, ye gods, I'll go upon this quest." 

XXIV 

He ceased, and thus the king of gods and men : 
"Brave words are these, my Thor; brave words, 

my son. 
But ever thou wast daring, and a deed 
Like this did ever to thy heart appeal. 
Go. Smite the giants, and bring back the cup.'* 



Yule-tide at Gvinter's Court 117 

XXV 

Then from the banquet of the gods went forth 
Red-bearded Thor, blustering and full of wrath. 
Miolner he seized; and soon his golden car 
Leaped to the clouds, by goats impetuous 

drawn. 
His hammer first to right and then to left 
He hurled in fierce delight; his chariot wheels 
Rumbled amidst the clouds; and from the plain 
The sons of men beheld the storm rush by. 
So went god Thor against his giant foes. 

XXVI ' 



Now northward and yet northward sped the god 

Until at last the utmost boreal point 

Of Scandian land he reached — that wedge-like 

cape 
Which juts into the lonely Polar Sea. 
And here, within a subterranean hall 
Enormous, many a rood in length and breadth, 
The giant Skrymer dwelt. Into that hall 
Strode, all impetuous, the Thunder-God, 
Miolner in hand. Here, at a table long, 
The giants sat, old Skrymer at its head. 
To whom god Thor, with crafty, flattering 

words : 



Ii8 i\nclvari*s Rixi^ 

XXVII 

*'Hail Skrymer, of the mountain giants king! 

(For that I now behold that monarch great 

Of whose brave deeds my ears have ofttimes 

heard 
I cannot doubt.) Hail all ye courtiers fair! 
Upon a quest of import high I come, 
Commissioned by the father of the gods, 
Odin, than whom no greater name exists 
In heaven or earth or Hela's realms below: 
A quest of import but most difficult, 
And therefore your assistance now I crave. 
A wondrous cup I seek which, so 'tis said, 
No god can empty though from eve to morn 
He drink, and then again from morn till eve. 
No god can empty it, and yet, methinks, 
*Twould be an easy task for one of you. 
For giants in a mightier mould are made." 

XXVIII 

He ceased: o*er Skrymer's visage crept a smile 
As to the fulsome flattery of the god 
He listened: then the giant thus replied: 

XXIX 

*' Welcome art thou, Thor, to giant land! 
Welcome to this, our banquet hall ! The cup 
Which none can empty, and which now thou 
seekst, 



Y\ile-tide at G\3inter*s Court 119 

Mine eyes have seen. Yea, from its brim my 

lips 
Have drank the magic ale which bubbles forth. 
But let's of that hereafter. Sit thee down 
Among us, and be merry with the rest, 
Drinking the liquor which ourselves have 

brewed. 
None better comes, e*en from the enchanted 

cup." 

XXX 

So saying, to a place at his right hand 

He motioned, and ere little time had passed 

God Thor was feasting with his giant foes. 

XXXI 

Now when their fill this glorious company 
Had drank and eaten, Skrymer thus addressed 
His Asa guest: ''Some feats of strength and 

skill. 
To while away the night, we ofttimes have. 
What sayst thou,Thor? Thou art the honoured 

guest. 
Thyself, therefore, must have the premier trial. 
Here is a cup filled to the brim with ale. 
Do thou now empty it. A test it is 
Of manhood with us giants. At one draught 
Most of us drain it, but in two, at most. 
The weakest of our band can finish it." 



120 Andvari's Ring 

XXXII 

With smile of confidence the Asa took 
The cup within his hands, then to his lips 
Placed it, and with a mighty effort drank, 
Seeking in one long draught to empty it. 
But though he drank till all his breath was gone 
Scarce had the liquor sank below the brim. 

XXXIII 

Old Skrymer smiled. **Methinks our honoured 

guest 
Two drinks will need in which to drain the cup. 
Nay, do not be discouraged. Try again." 

XXXIV 

But though again and yet again he strove, 
The God of Thunder could not drain the cup. 
Nay, scarce the liquor sank below the brim. 

XXXV 

Then Skrymer thus: "Perchance some other 

feat 
The god can better do — some easier thing. 
A black cat have we here. Methinks to lift 
This cat from off the floor were no hard task." 



Y"ule-tide at Gxinter's Court 121 

XXXVI 

Crestfallen Thor the cat essayed to lift. 

But though he strove with all his might and 

main, 
Barely to move one foot from off the floor 
Took all the strength he had. Strange did it 

seem. 

xxxvii 

Then Skr3mier smiled, and once again he spoke: 
*' Much have I heard of Asa Thor — his strength, 
His reckless courage and his wondrous deeds, 
And yet some little feat, such as a child 
Were equal to, he cannot now perform. 
Methinks his prowess has been overpraised. 
However, one more trial of strength we'll have — 
Perchance his reputation he'll retrieve. 
Come hither, nurse, and with this god contend. 
A wrestling match we'll have. Methinks in 

this — 
A noble sport, — our guest doth all excel." 

XXXVIII 

As thus he spoke a pale and withered hag 
Hobbled across the hall and grappling Thor 
Within her arms (though with all strength the 
god 



122 Andvari's Rin^ 

Struggled to free himself from her embrace) 
Lifted him from his feet. Then to the floor 
Tost him, as though a feather in her hands. 

XXXIX 

Loud laughed the giants all. But Skrymer led 
Back to his seat the god. "No more we'll mar, 
With these rough tricks, our hospitality. 
Come, brothers, to this Asa brave let's drink 
Good health and happiness; and may he bear 
To all who dwell in Asgard's shining halls, 
And on the flowery plains of Ida meet 
For interchange of thought and converse wise, 
Best wishes from the giants of the North." 

XL 

Now when it came Thor's time to go uprose 
All those huge giants and did him salute. 
(Three times the height of mortal men they 

stand) 
But Skrymer out into the open air — 
Where waited for the god his goat-drawn car — 
Passed with him and, when quite alone they 

were, 
Thus spoke: "Be not down-hearted, Asa Thor, 
That in those feats such showing poor thou 

madest. 
In truth, 'twas all enchantment. The gold cup 
Thou couldst not empty, from the mighty deep 



Tvale-tide at Gxinters Co\irt 123 

Its liquor drew (though changed to foaming ale 
Was this by witchcraft) and when thou didst 

drink 
The sea ran backward from the sandy shore 
E'en as the tide doth ebb, and on the beach 
The greybeards stood, watching in wonderment 
That ocean thus, all out of time, should ebb. 
The cat thou soughtst to lift was not a cat, 
But the great Midgard Serpent who beneath 
The illimitable ocean ever dreams, 
To wake not till the Day of Ragnorok; 
And when one paw thy Asa strength did lift, 
Methought the ending of all things had come. 
And the beshriveled hag who threw thee down, 
Dost think she was a common beldame? Nay. 
Old Age she was, who conquers every one. 
Well, therefore, Thor, didst thou acquit thyself, 
Almost to accomplish the impossible. 
Lives not, in earth or heaven, a braver soul. 
And, as a mark of my sincere regard, 
This magic goblet, from whose depths the ale 
Forever flows, on thee I now bestow. 
Already in the banquet hall thy lips 
Have proved its wondrous capabilities." 

XLI 

So saying, in the hands of Thor he placed 
The magic cup; but ere the astonished god 
Could voice his thanks, old Skrymer in the air 



124 Andvari's Rin^ 

Had vanished, for in all illusions strange, 
And every kind of witchcraft was he wise. 

XLII 

Then to his golden car the Thunder-God 
Turned, and re-entered, and his restless goats 
Swift-mounted to the clouds, as toward the hall 
Of ^gir now the happy Asa sped, 
Bearing within his hands the magic cup. 

{End of the Song of Olafthe Red) 

XLIII 

The minstrel ceased, and through the banquet 

hall 
Rang mighty plaudits of the voice and hand. 
And when the din had somewhat slackened rose 
King Gunter from his seat beside his bride, 
High on the dais, and with words of praise 
Olaf saluted, and a purse of gold 
Likewise bestowed upon the famous bard. 
Then round the board the horns of nut-brown 

ale 
Resumed their journey, and the mighty logs 
Brighter and ever brighter blazed. The night 
Moved onward with a joyous majesty. 
E'en like Valhalla seemed the glittering scene — 
That glorious hall above where, after death. 
The heroes feast among the immortal gods. 



"Yxile-tide at G\*nter*s Coxirt 125 

XLIV 

Thus flotirished Yule-tide at King Gunter's 

court. 
And thus the double wedding, with all pomp, 
Was celebrated. Surely 'twas a time 
For laughter and illimitable joy — 
A marriage feast, a feast of Yule, in one. 



X 

IN THE GARDEN 



Now northward once more comes the Sun, from 

climes 
Austral returning to the German land, 
And straight before his glorious presence flee 
Darkness and cold as, with a bounteous hand, 
Light he dispenses — vivifying light — 
And balmy winds, and ever-lengthening days. 
And as, in Roman triumph, at the front 
Of the long line the conqueror rides, and him 
Fair captive maidens follow, crown'd with 

flowers, 
So now, as up the heavenly highway rides 
Balder triumphant, in his train appears 
Bright Easter, goddess of the spring, by troupes 
Of sunny hours accompanied — maidens fair. 
Nymphs of the golden spring-time, such as wake 
The hearts of men to ecstasy — with flowers 
Bedecked and followed by melodious birds. 
So rises Balder out of Hela's shades — 
Immortal, glorious — bringing back to earth 

126 



In tKe Garden* 127 

Light, life, ani all we love. So follow him, 
Year after year, dear to the hearts of men, 
The spirits of the spring-time jubilant — 
Easter and all her nymphs — a pageant fair! 



II 



Within her garden, at the sunset hour, 

Queen Brynhild sat; but on her spirit fell, 

Well-nigh unheeded, all the charms of spring. 

The soft caresses of the balmy breeze. 

The upturned faces of the early flowers, 

The voices sweet of the returning birds. 

None, none could pierce the armour of her 

gloom. 
E'en as a mourner gazing on some show 
Beholds it not, or only half beholds, 
Conscious but dimly of the spectacle. 
So Brynhild gazed upon the earth and sky. 
Bitter her soul, brooding upon its wrong, 
Ever rebelling against Fate's decree. 
And as, encompassed by her mood, she sat, 
To her King Gunter, through the palace grounds 
Slow wandering with his dogs at close of day, 
Came and, half chidingly, thus her addressed : 



in 



** Brynhild, my queen, why dost thou ever sit 
Alone? Why dost thou ever seek the bpot 



128 Andvari's Ring 

Where none assemble? Queens should gracious 

be, 
Shining, like the resplendent sun, for all; 
Not leading lives recluse, like cloistered nuns, 
Unseen of men. Lovest thou not the gay court, 
With all its joys? Lovest thou not Burgundy, 
Our beauteous land? Lovest thou not me, its 

king?" 



IV 



Thus Gunter: to the valkyr's eyes a light 
Leaped like a sword flashing from out its sheath : 
Then, rising to her feet, she spoke: "What use 
Longer to play a part? I love thee not; 
Thee nor thy court nor Burgundy. A trick, 
Abhorred of Odin, gave me to thy arms. 
Rather upon that mountain would I sleep 
Once more, where long I slept, begirt by fire. 
Far in the northern seas, than be thy queen! 
Methinks ofttimes upon that lonely isle, 
With helmet bowed, my father Odin sits. 
Grieving upon his erring daughter's fate. 
would that I could see once more his face. 
E'en though by wrath and sorrow clouded o'er! 
See as I saw it when, with waving spear. 
He cast the spell about me, and the flames 
Commanded to protect me from all harm! 
Happier my heart to be by him condemned 
Than by the ignoble Gunter to be praised!" 



In tKe Garden 129 



Thus Brynhild: then, like some long pent-up 

flood 
Bursting, at last, its barriers strong, went on : 
**I love thee not! Art thou the hero bright 
My father Odin dreamt of when he girt 
My rocky couch with fire and sought thereby 
To save me from all men of common clay? 
Art thou the mortal for a goddess meet? 
Art thou the viking bold who sailed the seas, 
Seeking the sacred isle of Helgoland, 
And climbed the dizzy cliff, and through the 

flame 
Plunged, and the spell dissolved which held me 

fast? 
To him do I belong, and not to thee, 
Ingloriously waiting by the Rhine! 
For him was I intended. Thus 'twas planned 
By the immortal father of the gods. 
But o'er the gods the mystic sisters sit. 
Spinning the thread of Fate ; the sisters three. 
All potent, cruel; Urd, Verdandi, Skuld. 
And jealous of my beauty and my power 
Were they (at least, such is my thought) and 

sought 
Me to abase who in Valhalla's halls 
Once shone more lovely than fair Freya's self. 
And dwelt supreme in the All-Father's heart. 
Alas ! most treacherously have the dread Norns 



130 Andvari's Ring 

Dealt by me, and the purpose merciful 
Of Odin, — to preserve me from the worst, — 
Thwarted. The weakling Gunter have I got; 
I who was meant for Sigurd. Alas! Alas!" 

VI 

*'Lovest thou then Sigurd?" Thus the king; 

and him 
Answered the valkyr, haughty was her mien: 
*'No man I love; but of all earthly men 
Sigurd, the son of Sigmund, is the best; 
And like bright Balder in the east doth shine 
Eclipsing with his light the puny stars." 

VII 

*'Thou lovest Sigurd! Aye!" King Gunter 

gasped. 
*'Fool, that mine eyes discerned it not before!" 

VIII 

So saying (like a wounded man who strives 
Steadily to walk, but staggers in his gait. 
Stunned by the shock, and faint from loss of 

blood) , 
King Gunter from the fatal garden passed. 
And, as he slowly trod, once round he turned 
And, looking backward wistfully, beheld, 
Lit by the last rays of the setting sun, 
Her face within her hands, as if she wept, 
Brynhild the valkyr, standing motionless. 



XI 
GUNTER'S SOLILOQUY 



"Before me in the rocky isle he was, 
Before me in the valkyr's stormy heart. 
Methinks I see it all. E'en as the sun, 
Risen, doth illumine with his light a road 
Wherein by night we walked in darkness dense, 
And looking back with unobstructed eyes 
Clearly we see that road, so have her words 
Illumed the path wherein I long have trod. 
Fool! Purblind, blundering fool! By the dark 

clouds 
Of egotism enwrapped and vain conceit, 
Seeing not what to all other eyes was plain. 
She loves him; she hath loved him from the first; 
And I, the king, am naught. Aye, worse than 

naught; 
Stupidly standing, a poor loathsome thing, 
Ever between her heart and its desire. 
Yet do I blame them not. The fault was mine, 
If fault it can be called to harbour love, 
Which comes unbidden and at his own will 

131 



132 Andvari's Ring 

Departs. A boy capricious, as the bards 
Of Greece and Rome have ever pictured him. 
Cupid, the wandering archer, full of guile. 
She loves him? Aye. But free from fault are 

they; 
Wholly, devotedly he loves Gudrun. 
She loves him? Aye. But hopeless is her love; 
E'en like mine own. Would that we ne'er had 

met, 
Fair Brynhild, that I ne'er had heard thy name ! '* 



II 



Thus Gunter with himself communed: his 

dream 
Vanished as vanishes, by a prickle pierced, 
The iridescent bubble in the air. 



XII 

HAGEN AND GISELHER 



*'Here let us sit, beneath this ancient elm 
Which once more, at the magic touch of spring, 
Bursts into bloom. Something upon my mind 
Lies which I fain would tell to thee alone." 

II 

Thus Hagen, o*er the April meadows green 
Roaming with Giselher, the king's brother, 

spoke. 
Then, as themselves they seated, he went on: 

III 

*' Know that last eve, when sunset dyed the sky, 
I, wandering near the garden of the queen, 
Heard voices, or, to be more accurate, 
A woman's voice and, nearer to the spot 
Drawing, beheld King Gunter and his spouse, 
Brynhild the valkyr. He in silence stood; 

133 



134 Andvari's Ring 

Vehement her utterance. Much against my 

will 
Was it, like some low eavesdropper, to list; 
But from the place I could not then escape, 
And forced was I to hear. This, then, the 

gist 
Of Brynhild's wild tirade, — That she, in truth, 
Loved Gunter not a whit, nor ever had, 
But only Sigurd. Scarcely could my ears 
Believe the words. Thy brother, like a man 
Stabbed to the heart, with face white as a 

ghost, 
Listened in silence, then, some broken words 
Muttering, passed like a shadow from the 

spot. 
My heart wept for him. But the valkyr stood, 
Wrapped in her gloom, a statue motionless; 
And afterward upon the garden bench 
Sitting remained till long into the night. 
Perchance she waited Sigurd there? Who 

knows?" 



IV 



"What thinkst thou, Hagen, is't an olden flame 
Long smouldering and now bursting through its 

bounds, 
Or is it something new, this love betwixt 
Queen Brynhild and the Norseman?" Giselher 

thus. 



Hagen and GiselHer I35 



To whom then Hagen: "I know not. Me- 

thinks, 
However, that upon the selfsame day 
Of their first meeting the amour began. 
False was he to the king — false to Gudrun. 
No word of mine this accusation gross 
Hath hinted until now but, ne'ertheless, 
Ever within my breast suspicion dwelt 
And would not down, and now the traitress 

lips 
Of Brynhild have themselves proclaimed the 

worst. 
This will I tell thee which I never told 
The king, thy brother. When in Helgoland 
We landed, up the cliff precipitous 
Which led to Brynhild's bower enchanted I, 
Being of body bulky, could not climb. 
And on the sandy beach was forced to wait, 
Impatiently, the upshot of the attempt. 
The meeting on the mountain top, therefore, 
I saw not, nor have I, from then till now, 
From lips of either Sigurd or the queen, 
Learned aught about it, though the livelong 

day, 
From morn till eve, they passed together. This 
(Perchance 'twas wrong,) I never told the king, 
Fearing his deep displeasure, though, methinks, 
Sigurd he wholly trusted until now." 



136 Andvari's Rixi^ 

VI 

"Belike the Norseman's blood alone will quench 
Gunter's deep thirst for vengeance? What 

thinkstthou?" 
Thus Giselher, and to him Hagen replied: 

VII 

* ' Would it were so ! This Sigurd I love not. 

If he hath been disloyal to his king, 

Thy brother, and disloyal to his bride, 

Thy sister, then methinks his faithless life 

Were better ended. Yet I fear the trust 

Of Gunter in his friend, so absolute. 

May, e'en against the damning evidence, 

Unshaken stand. This, then, shall be our task — 

To see to it that Gunter falters not 

In wreaking vengeance on the outlander; 

But if he weakly hesitate (his faith 

In Sigurd, spite of all appearances 

Avowing) then ourselves to strike the blow. 

For the king's honour, and for Burgundy!" 

VIII 

Thus Hagen, with indignant gesture, spoke, 
Feigning the old retainer's loyal rage, 
And to his eyes the light of cruel hate 
Leaped, as he spoke, like a malignant flame 



Ha^exi and GiselHer 137 

Rising from out the realms of the accurst, 
Seen for an instant, and then falling back 
Into that dread abyss where evil dwells. 



IX 



And Giselher answered, "Aye, thou speakest 

well." 
Gunter unlike was he, Gemot unlike. 
For they, the eldest brother and the third. 
Looked not for evil, ever holding good 
Mankind till proven base. But in the soul 
Of Giselher, the swart second son, distrust 
Dwelt, and suspicion ever on its guard, 
Doubt of all things in heaven and earth. For he, 
Looking within his own heart, guile beheld, 
And seeing it thus guileful and of trust 
Unworthy, deemed all others like himself. 



Then from their seat beneath the ancient elm' 
Arose these twain and o'er the meadows green 
Passed like a brace of vultures who, far off, 
Scent, with a loathsome glee, the field of blood. 



XIII 
HAGEN'S SOLILOQUY 



"Had I the Niblung's Ring what wealth were 

mine ! 
What power illimitable, for wealth is power, 
And glittering gold the monarch of this world! 
Would, therefore, that Andvari's Hoard were 

mine! 
Not that soft luxury, or sweet delights 
Of love I crave, or state magnificent — 
Palace and park and garden such as those 
With which the Roman doth surround himself. 
These tempt not my stern soul. 'Tis power 

alone 
I covet, not its pomps and vanities. 
Mine be the cold grey steel which wins the 

fight. 
Not the triumphal pageant afterward. 

II 

"When Sigurd dies, and die ere long he shall, 
I'll seize from off his hand the Niblung's Ring, 

138 



Haven's Soliloq\xy 139 

The golden serpent with two ruby eyes, 
The magic talisman which doth rule the Hoard. 
What wealth, what power, what joy will then be 
mine!" 

Ill 

Thus did the envious Hagen with his soul 
Commune, and in bright dreams himself beheld 
Possessor of the Niblung's wondrous Hoard. 



XIV 
ERDA'S PROPHECY 



Now Sigurd, by forebodings vague depressed, — 
For o'er his hero-soul impending doom 
Already cast its shadow, — rose by night 
And, from the homes of men far wandering, 

sought, 
Within her cave upon the mountainside, 
Erda, the prophetess, that from her lips 
Inspired his lot predestined he might learn. 
Like Delphi's holy pythoness was she. 
Who, sitting on the tripod, did receive 
The oracles of the Olympian god; 
Save that with Erda did commune no god, 
Olympian nor Valhallan, but instead 
Priestess she was of that pale trinity 
Who dwell above the gods, outside of time, 
Whose will is fate immutable and who. 
Beholding the beginning and the end, 
Foreknow the lot of each created thing: 
The Norns — the mystic sisters three — who sit 
Ever beside the ash-tree Ygdrasil, 

140 



Erda's PropKecy 141 

Impassive, clothed in white, rose-garlanded, 
Singing of days gone by and days to come, 
Spinning the thread of destiny — 'twas they 
Who through the lips of Erda spake to men. 

II 

Vault-like upon the mountainside the cave 
Of Erda opened : here, at midnight, came 
Sigurd and, kneeling in the entrance, thus 
Addressed the priestess of the mystic Norns: 

III 

"Erda, thou holy one, to whom all things 

In heaven and earth are known, to whom the 

Past, 
The Present, and the Future are as one 
(For hast thou not been chosen by the Norns 
Their vicar here below?), thee I beseech 
To grant me now foreknowledge of the fate 
Which doth await me. By misgivings vague 
Depressed, my spirit fain would hear thy voice. 
Far wandering from the haunts of men by night 
My feet have sought thy sanctuary. What ill 
Knocks at my door? Is it some peril weird, 
Such as in days gone by my soul hath faced 
Unshrinking, nay, with a wild joy? Or is't 
The inevitable hour which comes to all? 
The stroke of doom? The thing which men call 

death. 
Hear me, thou holy one, and grant my prayer!" 



142 Andvari's Ring 

IV 

He ceased and on the cavem*s floor remained, 

Kneeling, all motionless. Then far within 

The sanctuary a light celestial dawned 

And, in its midst, before the warrior's eyes, 

Appeared, like goddess by an aureole bright 

Enveloped, Erda. Beautiful her face 

But sad; black as the raven's wing her hair; 

Her mien majestic; her tall figure robed 

In samite white, with golden cincture girt. 

As in all ages of the world hath been 

The sibyl's mystic answer (that of her 

Of Samos, who the Trojan war foretold; 

Or her of Cumag, whom ^neas sought. 

Foreteller of the rise and fall of Rome), 

E'en such was Erda's now, as she foretold 

The death of Sigurd, and to him declared 

The future glories of the Scandian race; 

E'en such was Erda's answer now: — A voice 

Prophetic echoing in the halls of time : 

A message from the realms beyond the veil ; 

Immortal purposes to mortal man 

Revealed. Thus, then, the mystic sibyl spoke: 



*' Sigurd, thy earthly end draws near; ere rise 
The suns of many days above the Rhine, 
Upborne to high Valhalla wilt thou be 
By valkyrs fair — a warrior's obsequies. 



Erda's PropHecy 143 

SIgmund, thy father, and thy mother, sweet 
Siglinda, there await thee; and Gudrun, 
Thy wife beloved, soon will thee rejoin. 
Thus, sitting by the ash-tree, speak the Noms." 

VI 

A space the sibyl paused, and then went on: 

VII 

** Aye, Sigurd, thou must die; but glory waits 
Thy race. Into the world's arena now, 
Fresh from his eyrie in the Scandian hills, 
Descends the Northman. His the mind robust. 
Clear as the wind-swept sky; the body his 
At home with Nature, whatsoe'er her mood, 
To sun and storm, to cold and heat inured. 
Born on the mountains, on the ocean bred, 
He knows not luxury's all-encumbering chains — 
Silken without, but links of steel beneath. 
Fain, like the eagle, would he roam for aye. 
And toward the Southland his adventurous 

flight 
He turns. There Rome aweary sits. Her 

heart 
No more ambition fires : no more her brain 
Plans conquests vast ; her erstwhile puissant arm 
Droops by her side, and all unheeded hangs 
That sword the godlike Julius once did wield. 
Years weigh her Titan spirit down, for states, 



144 Andvari's Rin^ 

Like men, grow old, and with Rome's years have 

come 
Vast riches, ease luxurious, the command 
Of all things upon earth. Is't strange her sons, 
Once rugged, now degenerate grown, esteem 
As useless toil the storm and stress of war? 
New blood the world doth need, for the world's 

work 
Strong hands, stout hearts demands, and he who 

rules 
This world, the wise All-Father, and doth see 
Each century's wants, hath picked from the 

far North 
Rome's heir. The Norseman takes the Roman's 

place. 
The sceptre to a younger race descends, 
Though masterful as were the men of Rome. 
Behold! As flow the torrents from the hills. 
What time bright Spring unlocks the Winter's 

clasp. 
So from their Scandian homes, unceasing, flow 
The hardy Northmen o'er the Roman lands 
And, like a vivifying flood, restore 
Youth to a world effete. They come! They 

come! 
Out of the dark northeast, from Sweden's 

shores, 
From Norway's fiords, from Denmark's wind- 
swept dunes. 
One people called by many names, one race 



Erda's PropHecy 145 

Of ocean- warriors, golden-haired they come! 
Methinks as in a dream I see them now. 
With tossing prows far out at sea beheld, 
With spears and helmets through the ocean 

mists 
Flashing, they come; unheralded; with dread 
Watched by those spirits pusillanimous 
Whose purblind eyes see not in these fierce 

foes 
Heaven's chosen seed, the saviours of the land. 
Wild giants they, wet with the salt sea-foam. 
But in their lives the primal virtues shine — 
Strength, courage, justice, boundless energy, 
Truth-telling, love of home, contempt of death, 
High wisdom, and all else that makes the 

man — 
And through them is old Europe born again. 
As comes the spring-time back to earth, so 

comes 
Once more the age heroic back to men. 
The figure of a Norseman, spear in hand, 
Crown'd with his winged helmet, eagle-like 
Roaming, in dragon-ship, the ocean, looms 
Above the world's horizon : I behold, 
Comrades in fame, thy vikings range them- 
selves 
Beside the stalwart shapes that founded Rome, 
And hero-hosts Hellenic; and in thee, 
Sigurd, though briefer was thy life than theirs, 
Ulysses and ^neas live again. 

zo 



146 Andvari's Rin^ 

VIII 

**But see! E'en now, on Britain's stormy 

shores, 
Hengist and Horsa, with their sea-tost hosts, 
Land, and great England, Rome's predestined 

heir. 
Begins her conquering march. As, in a gale, 
A mighty tidal wave, holp by the winds. 
Breaks on some isle, and overwhelms the land, 
All things submerging; so, on Britain's isle. 
The viking tide, in waves successive, breaks, 
And overflows the land ; o'erflows save where. 
In west and north, the mountain fastnesses 
Of Wales and Caledonia lift their towers. 
Angles, Jutes, Saxons, Norsemen, Swedes, 

Goths, Danes, 
One people called by many names, one race 
Of ocean- warriors, golden-haired, they come. 
A thousand years before me stretch — I see 
The wild beginnings of a nation; all 
The ferment which precedes the ordered state : 
The clash of rival clans: the jars and wars 
Of petty kingdoms, jealous of their rights: 
The inevitable struggles manifold 
Which leave the fittest master. I behold 
Strong kings contending for the land : the hosts 
Of Arthur against Saxon Cerdic hurled : 
The life-long wars of Alfred with the Danes : 
The battle fierce of Brunanburgh, where strove 



Erda's PropHecy 147 

From mom till night, Olaf and Athelstan; 

The victories of the great Canute: and last, 

The triumph epochal, on Senlac Hill, 

Of Norman William, greatest of them all, 

Scion of Rollo's ocean-cradled race. 

I see, slow-rising through the years, like tower 

Broad-based with glittering tops which seek 

the sky, 
England, a realm by sea-kings' swords upbuilt. 
If thou wouldst know the soul of this fair isle, 
The well-spring of her spirit bright, behold, 
In the far North, the sources of her life! 
Thy North, my Sigurd ! See the choicest sons 
Of those grey coasts begirt by boreal sea, 
Their mother-lands forsaking, give their strength, 
Bequeath their spirits venturesome and brave, 
To England, in whose veins, compounded, live 
Angle, Jute, Saxon, Norman, Swede, and Dane. 
Aye, of the North's best blood is England born! 
A valkyr beautiful, me thinks, she stands, 
Leaning upon her spear; her golden locks 
Crown'd by the winged helmet — Odin's child! 
In her the viking spirit lives for aye ! 
In her wild Scandia flowers ! Thy soul and hers, 
Sigurd, are one! By her thy youthful dream, 
To wander like some great-wing'd ocean-bird, 
Petrel or gull or tireless albatross. 
Ever and ever upon the dark blue sea — 
By her this viking dream, though lost to thee. 
Shall be fulfilled ! In her thy race shall rise 



148 Andvari's Rin^ 

To heights majestic, and men now unborn, 
Back looking through the centuries, shall 

behold, 
In history's sky, great England shining bright 
(Twin orbs of light) beside imperial Rome!" 



IX 



The sibyl ceased, and though for further speech 
Sigurd, with eager utterance, her besought, 
Shedisappeared within the cavern's depths. 



XV 

THE DEATH OF SIGURD 



Beyond the Rhine, east of its silvery stream, 
Between the Neckar and the Main outstretched, 
A mighty forest lies — the Odenwald. 
Leagues north and south, leagues east and west 

extends 
This ancient wood, upon the sloping sides 
Of mountains lifted, or outspread in vales 
Innumerable. A rugged tract it is 
Of primal forest rooted in the rocks 
Of earlier ages : a vast wilderness 
Of woods and peaks, deep glens and sunny 

glades. 
Of grass-grown summits and pellucid streams. 
Here range at will the creatures of the wild — 
The bear, the wolf, the deer, the fox, the boar. 
Here, them to slaughter, man, the hunter, 

comes. 

149 



150 Andvari's Rin^ 



II 



What time the summer morn in beauty breaks, 
And sing the early birds from many a bough, 
Rose Sigurd from his couch beside Gudrun, 
And for the chase began to make prepare. 
For he, that day, deep in the Odenwald 
Would hunt, with Hagen and the brothers twain, 
Gemot and Giselher. So betimes he rose. 



Ill 



Now as, accoutred for the chase, he stood 
Within their chamber, suddenly to his side, 
A wave of radiant beauty, swept Gudrun, 
And round his puissant shoulders her white 

arms 
Threw, and her lily face, so passing fair, 
To him uplifted, and, with troubled voice 
Beseeching him, tears in her eyes, thus spoke: 

IV 

"0 go not to the chase today! Last night 
Dread dreams affrighted me. I saw thee fall, 
Deep in the Odenwald, by two fierce boars 
Assailed. Thee on the sward lifeless I saw, 
Thy heart's blood dyeing red the forest's green. 
O go not to the chase, today, dear lord! 
Something knocks at the portals of my life 
And tells me I shall never see thee more!" 



THe Death of Sigiard 151 



So saying, on her husband's breast she laid 
Her golden head, and wept, and tightly wound 
About his neck her alabastrine arms. 



VI 



Then Sigurd thus: *' Something me also warns. 

Something doth tell me evil lurks ahead. 

But if 'tis Fate's decree that I should die, 

If 'tis permitted by the mighty Norns, 

What use for me, the creature of a day, 

To seek to avert the blow, to dodge my doom? 

What comes will come. None can his weird 

escape. 
And who can tell? Perchance my mood is 

naught — 
A passing cloudlet which upon my soul, 
But for a moment, doth its shadow cast? 
Perchance thy dream nothing doth signify? 
If so, why like a coward should I shrink 
From fancied perils? Better 'tis to live 
Free from the bonds of fear, and when the time 
Comes to depart, as fearlessly to go, 
Than of that last, inevitable hour 
Always to stand in dread. Better it is 
To die once only, not a thousand times. 
Nay, dearest, let us put aside thy dreams. 
My sad forebodings. See ! The summer sun 



152 Andvari's Rin^ 

Bathes all the landscape, and the beauteous 

Rhine 
Winds like a golden road beneath its light ! 
Soon o'er those waters swift we'll make our way, 
And then, ho! for the merry greenwood tree!" 

VII 

He ceased and, clasping close between his hands 

Her lily face, kissed tenderly and oft, 

As is the wont of lovers, those sweet lips. 

Now tremulous with sad solicitude. 

Then to the spacious palace grounds the twain 

Descended, she aye clinging to his side 

(Her heart in secret weeping) , and there found 

Gemot and Giselher, and the gloomy knight, 

Hagen, accoutred all for the day's chase. 

Gunter alone was absent, state affairs 

His excusation, but his haughty queen 

Showed at her casement like a dark-stoled nun 

Gazing upon some scene of revelry. 

And when their fast they'd broken and good-byes 

Said the impatient sportsmen toward the Rhine 

Strode off, and soon were rowed across its 

stream. 
Steeds them awaited on the other side, 
And hounds and huntsmen at the Odenwald. 

VIII 

Now when, at last, the great plain of the Rhine 
Was left behind them, and the forest's depths 



The DeatH of Sig'vird 153 

They entered, gay the scene which met their 

eyes. 
Here was the meet : here many a gallant hound 
Impatient waited, many a forester 
In wood-craft wise. Then spoke, with gestures 

droll, 
A grizzly-bearded huntsman : this his tale. 
He in the wood had harboured a wild boar, 
An ancient solitary. Back and forth. 
From feed to lair, from lair to feed again, 
With help of hound sagacious, svire of scent, 
He'd slotted him. A monster huge he was, 
Vast as a bear, with tusks most terrible, 
Fierce as the ancient sanglier ever is. 
"Aye, even as I slotted him he turned," 
So quoth the greybeard forester, ''and drove 
Me and my limehound from his leafy lair. 
But safely is he harboured now, and I 
Can put the hounds upon him easily." 



IX 



Then gaily Giselher wound his hunting horn, 
And straightway he and Hagen to the spot 
Rode where the ancient sanglier lay concealed. 
And with them went the huntsmen and the 

hounds : 
And to a sunny glade some distance off 
Rode Sigurd and young Gemot, there to wait 
The boar when he broke covert : and ere long 



154 Andvari's Ring 

Came to their ears, borne down the wind, a 

blast 
Triumphal, through the greenwood echoing 

shrill — 
The horn of Hagen, telling that the hounds 
Had roused their quarry and the hunt was on. 



Now toward the open space where Sigurd sat 
And Gemot on their steeds the distant cry- 
Seemed moving and with ready spear the twain 
Waited expectant. Nearer came the cry. 
Then suddenly they beheld, far down the 

glade. 
Swift running as a race-horse toward his 

goal. 
The ancient solitary who, in a trice, 
Turned and within the greenwood disappeared. 
Too thick for horse the tangled forest here; 
And Sigurd, from his steed dismounting, bound 
Bridle to tree and, winding his great horn 
For signal, plunged on foot into the wood. 
Gemot him followed; and the dark-browed 

knight, 
Hagen, soon coming up, with Giselher, both 
Quickly discarded horse and sought on foot 
To pierce the tangled thickets of the wood — 
By baying hounds preceded and a throng 
Of huntsmen followed, hurrying at their heels 



THe DeatH of Sig'vird 155 

XI 

But well the ancient solitary ran — 

Swiftly and wisely — and right valiantly 

He fought too, when occasion called, that day. 

For thrice, when brought to bay by furious 

hounds. 
He charged on his pursuers and or slew 
Or maimed them, and three times he got away, 
And the third time he made good his escape 
And, all unspeared, with spirit stout, regained 
His haunts beneath the merry greenwood tree. 

XII 

And in the afternoon to a deep glen 

Through which, with soothing purl, a brooklet 

ran, 
Came Sigurd, wearied with the fruitless chase, 
And wandering through the interminable wood. 
And up against a linden tree his spear 
He leaned, and for a pillow took his cloak. 
And on the green moss of the wood lay down. 
And, though against his will, soft-fingered sleep 
Soon closed his eyes. So wearied out was he. 

XIII 

And while he slept came also to the glen 
(By cruel fate inexorable led) 
Hagen and Giselher and, with startled eyes. 
Beheld their quarry. Thus then Hagen spoke: 



156 Andvari's Rixi^ 

XIV 

"Lost is the boar, but nobler game is here! 
Behold the son of Sigmund where he lies 
All unaccoutred, forage for our spears ! 
What say St thou, shall we slay him as he sleeps?" 

XV 

Then Giselher: "I have heard that sharpest 

steel 
Pierces him not: that by the dragon's blood 
Invulnerable made, he laughs at spears." 



XVI 



To him then Hagen : ' ' Aye, the tale is true. 
When the black blood of Fafnir covered him, 
What time he crouched within the narrow pit 
And, with an upward thrust, the dragon's hide 
Pierced, and his sword went onward to the 

heart. 
Forthwith invulnerable he became. 
Yet, ne'ertheless, I'll wager my good spear, 
Dragvandil, could right quickly finish him. 
However, to our story let's return. 
One spot alone is human. In one place 
Only can enter the death-dealing dart. 
Betwixt his shoulders had a linden leaf 
Fallen, while in the narrow pit he stood, 



The DeatK of Sig\jrd 157 

Waiting, and when the blood of Fafnir bathed 
Head, limbs and trunk, the spot where lay the 

leaf. 
Alone of all his frame, remained untouched. 
This from Gudrun, in confidence, I heard; 
Who on his kirtle hath a linden leaf, 
Masked in a quaint design of branch and 

twig. 
Embroidered, covering the spot exact; 
She in her innocence beseeching me 
To guard that spot as it were my own 

heart. 
Thus foolish, Giselher, are all womankind. 
But let us to our task. Ha! He awakes." 

XVII 

"Ho! Hagen! Giselher! You here? Have I 

slept?" 
Thus Sigurd, rising from his mossy couch. 
"An empty chase we've had, in truth! Right 

well 
Our foe, the ancient sanglier, played his game. 
But see how cool yon rivulet which runs 
Adown the dusky glen I How crystal clear 
It sparkles 1 Like a merry mountain nymph 
Methinks it is, and like her laughter gay 
Its rippling voice doth call me. Thirsty am I, 
And from those waters sweet fain would I 

drink." 



158 Andvari's Ring 

XVIII 

So saying, toward the brook he strode and knelt 

Upon its sandy border with intent 

To quaff from the cool wave unmeasured 

draughts ; 
Which seeing, Hagen, with a stealthy step 
(While Giselher stood a partner to the deed) 
Came up behind and, lifting high in air 
His spear, and crying, "Strike home, Drag- 

vandil!" drave 
Betwixt his victim's shoulders the bright steel. 
Swift through the broidered linden leaf it made 
Its fatal way, seeking the hero's heart. 
Alas! What grievous wound hath Sigurd now? 
No word he uttered, only a deep groan 
Of purest anguish, as upon the sand, 
Bleeding, he sank. Then straight his spirit rose 
From that rent body to Valhalla's halls. 
So, by the hand of murderer base — a deed 
Savage and senseless, born of envy — died 
The son of Sigmund, noblest of mankind. 

XIX 

Now as beside the rivulet the corse 
Of Sigurd lay, all bathed in precious blood, 
Into that place of death young Gemot came. 
He, like the others, through the wood had sought, 
Vainly, the ancient sanglier, and this glen 
Chancing upon he entered and beheld, 



« 



TKe DeatH of Si^vird 159 

At first with eyes which comprehended not, 
The corse of Sigurd and, standing near by, 
Grasping within his hand a blood-stained spear, 
The giant form of Hagen. Demon like 
The murderer gazed upon his victim. Then 
Flashed on the soul of Gemot the dread truth, 
And, striding toward the dark-browed knight, 

he raised 
His spear as if to strike him. "Devil!" he 

cried, 
"What hast thou done?" But flinched the 

other not. 
** The false seducer of thy brother's wife 
I slew." Thus Hagen. " Fitter had it been 
If thou, thyself, had done it, but the deed 
On me devolved . " " Thou liest ! " Gemot cried , 
** I know the wretched tale. Baseless it is. 
And minded am I at this minute to strike 
Thee dead beside thy victim. But what good? 
Sigurd is gone. His light hath left this world. 
And though a thousand Hagens spilled their 

blood, 
It would not bring him back again. Alas! 
Alas ! Alas ! That such a dastard deed 
Should be permitted by the righteous heavens!" 



XX 



He ceased and, by the body of his friend 
Kneeling, to staunch the crimson current strove ; 



l6o Andvari's Rixi^ 

Then bathed with water from the brook the face 
And hands of the pale corse (still warm with life 
But growing cold in death) and o'er the face 
Spread gently a blue cloak, and laid the limbs 
Orderly, and in every manner sought 
To make less terrible the ghastly sight. 
While to the dead these gentle offices 
He tendered, with a soft as woman's touch, 
Tears uncontrollable suffused his eyes. 
But ruthless stood the two conspirators. 
Cold as those others who, in Roman halls 
(What time their hands had dragged the eagle 

down), 
Watched, all unmoved, the murdered Julius 

die. 



XXI 



Now from the wood the sounds of hunting 

horns, 
Nearer approaching, came; and Giselher, them 
Noting, a blast responsive blew, and soon 
Appeared within the dusky glen a group 
Of huntsmen, glad their masters to rejoin. 
To whom then Giselher thus: "A dreadful 

thing, 
My men, hath happened. Through the forest's 

depths 
Seeking the solitary boar, we three, 
My brother Gemot, Hagen and myself. 



XKe DeatK of Si^-urd i6i 

Chanced on this gloomy glen, and here, beside 
Yon streamlet lying, as ye see him now, 
Earl Sigurd found. Covered he was with blood, 
Which from a great wound in his body flowed. 
Almost his breath had ceased. Quickly we 

strove 
To staunch the crimson current and to bring 
His spirit back to earth. But 'twas in vain. 
Methinks the boar, catching him unawares. 
Hath charged upon him and its mighty tusks 
Driven into his heart. Perchance he slept, 
O'ercome by the long chase, and in his sleep 
The sanglier found and slew him. Who can 

tell? 
One duty have we now. One thing alone 
Remains to do: To bear the pallid corse 
Back to his wife — our sister. From this wood 
Our arms shall sadly carry him, and thence 
A wain shall bear his body to the Rhine." 

XXII 

So to the foresters the second son 
Of old King Dancrat spake, with solemn mien 
Dexterously dissembling; and forthwith 
A litter of stout beechen boughs they made, 
And on it placed, wrapped in his cloak of blue. 
The corse of Sigurd, and two foresters, 
One at his head, one at his feet, him bore 
From out the wood, preceded by the rest 
zx 



l62 Andvari's Ring 

Marching with mournful tread, and followed 

slow 
By the two royal brothers and that knight 
Whose name henceforth, through cycles long of 

time, 
The stain of this base murder was to bear. 



XVI 

BESIDE THE RHINE 



Now on the banks of Rhine a funeral pyre 
Did Sigurd's vikings rear, and on it placed — 
Robed in rich garb, and wearing wingcid helm 
And byrnie bright, as if for battle drest — 
The body of their chief ; and by his side 
His sword they would have laid, that wondrous 

brand 
Which Odin from Valhalla's halls had brought 
To Volsung*s son and later Regin*s skill, 
Welding the mystic shards, had forged anew; 
But them Gudrun besought with flowing tears 
To grant it her, last relic of her lord; 
So into her fair hands was Gram bestowed. 

n 

For when the pyre was ready and from out 
Gudrun*s dark bower the silent Scandians bore 
The corse of Sigurd Jarl, them close behind, 
A black-veiled, faltering figure, came Gudrun, 

163 



164 Andvari's Rin^ 

Followed by weeping damsels of her bower. 

And came also unto the banks of Rhine 

The king, begirt with knights; and the pale 

queen, 
Brynhild, the valkyr, by her damosels 
Attended; and the brothers of the king, 
Giselher and Gemot; and that warrior grim, 
Hagen yclept, of evil all compact, 
The ruthless instrument of cruel fate. 
And likewise came a motley multitude 
Of divers sorts, soldiers and citizens. 
Rough farmers with their wives and progeny, 
And lads and lassies in lifers April still. 
All flocking to the banks of Father Rhine, 
There to behold the Norseman's obsequies. 
And when beside the flood his vikings laid 
Their chieftain's body, ere upon the pyre 
They placed it and the funeral flame applied. 
Forth glided from among her maids Gudrun, 
And by the bier, like a swift-moving wraith. 
Sank down, and round the lifeless body claspt 
Her beauteous arms, as if she wildly sought 
To summon back, by love importunate, 
Into that broken vessel cold, erstwhile 
Its dwelling place, her lord's departed ghost. 
And thus, beside the bier burst forth Gudrun: 

III 

*'Dark, dark my life! What now to me is 
earth ? 



Beside tKe RHixie 165 

What now the beauteous Rhine, upon whose 

banks 
While love sang in the tree-tops, once we walked ? 
Thrice poignant is my pain as on each spot 
Made sacred by our happiness I gaze ! 
Here once was mine joy inexpressible ! 
Here now, alas, with anguish bleeds my heart! 
Woe lays on me his heavy hand and Grief 
Invests my spirit with his inky pall. 
Gone, gone my love! Gone, gone earth's 

noblest soul ! 
Fair font from which life-giving draughts I 

drank ! 
Gone are those eyes which lit for me the world! 
That voice whose music did my heart enthral! 
Those lips from which sweet sustenance I drew! 
Gone is my mate — within whose arms was 

heaven — 
My other half. For like a noble tree 
We grew, one substance, till an angry bolt 
Of lightning rent our wedded life in twain; 
And on the ground he lies, blackened and dead. 
And I, the other half, live on alone, 
Yet scarcely live, a mutilated shape. 
Standing upon the melancholy wold. 
To bear my cruel scars until the end." 

IV 

She ceased and, kneeling still beside the bier. 
Kissed o'er and o'er again the lifeless lips 



i66 Andvari's Rin^ 

Of that which was her loving husband once — 
The pallid clay where once the spirit dwelt. 
Then on his bosom, weeping, bowed her head. 
And o'er the bier her tresses, loosed in woe. 
Swept like a golden coverlet to the ground. 



Then from the Norsemen's midst a figure tall 
Of noble aspect, helmeted, and drest 
In raiment rich, befitting his high rank. 
Strode slowly forth, and stood before the 

king— 
Hakon the son of Half dan, of the Bear 
The captain, and the warrior upon whom, 
Earl Sigurd being dead, command devolved. 
And thus, while on his every accent hung 
The vast assemblage, Gunter he addressed: 



VI 



*'Sad are our hearts, King! Us have the 

Norns 
A blow o'erpowering dealt. And though, like 

men, 
We strive to bear the buffetings of Fate, 
Yet like this weeping widow's is our woe. 
Sigurd is dead ! Slain is the blameless one ! 
The noble son of Sigmund is no more! 
The flower of all the North has passed away! 



Beside tHe RHixie 167 

VII 

"Strange doth it seem to us who knew him well 
That he could have an enemy, that in all 
This world of men lived one who loved him not. 
And yet it must be so. His gaping wound 
Promulgates unto all the dreadful truth. 
Foul murder hath been done. By hand of man 
He fell, and not by tusk of the wild boar. 
By dastard spear and not in honest strife. 
But to the perpetrator of this crime 
We hold no clue. If 'twere not so, if we 
Could name the assassin, swiftly should his 

blood 
Atonement make; e'en though each one of us 
Thereafter died, all falling where we fought. 

VIII 

"Yet thee, King Gunter, do we guiltless hold; 
Knowing that thou didst love him like ourselves ; 
Knowing that on thy spirit sorrow sits. 
As on the souls of each of us, a bird 
Gigantic, shutting out the air and light; 
Knowing that thou wilt mourn him till the end. 

IX 

"Farewell! When we to his beloved corse 
Have paid our final homage, and the rites 
Ordained by the Immortals have performed, 



I68 Andvari's Ring 

And in the flame hath vanished his dear clay, 
Down the swift Rhine, from out thy realm, O 

King, 
We'll pass, and thou shalt see us never more. 
Back to our Northland ocean-haunted, back 
To that gray Scandia whence we came, we'll go. 
Aye, homesick is my heart ! Farewell, farewell ! ' ' 



He ceased and, from the presence of the king 
Withdrawing, joined once more his mariners, 
Bidding them place the body on the pyre. 
Then was it that Gudrun the chief besought 
To grant her Gram, last relic of her lord. 
That wondrous brand which Odin once had 

grasped. 
So into her fair hands was Gram bestowed. 



XI 



Now when upon the lofty pyre was laid 
The corse of Sigurd, ere the funeral flame. 
Which changeth clay to ashes, had been lit. 
Forth from her ladies came, with stately step 
(While wonderment the vast assemblage held), 
Brynhild the valkyr, Gunter's haughty queen, 
And standing by the fateful pyre thus spoke : 



Beside tHe RHine 169 

XII 

**Hakon, thy words are wise. Like thine my 

heart 
Homesick doth languish. As an eagle caged 
Doth ever of the boundless mountains dream, 
So dream I ever of my valkyr days. 
Life here to me is naught: aye, worse than 

naught. 
As to that captive eagle, though his cage 
Be golden, death doth come as a release. 
So to my soul comes death a sweet release. 
When, freed from earthly bonds, my happy 

ghost 
Hath risen to Valhalla, there these eyes 
My father Odin shall behold once more. 
There waits he me. There, as in bygone days, 
His loving arms shall fold me to his breast. 
My fault forgiven. Expiation done.'* 

XIII 

She ceased and, with uplifted countenance, 
Gazed at the heavens for a little space, 
As though her eyes beheld, in that blue dome, 
The figure of her father, Odin great. 
Standing as in the lonely isle he stood. 
What time with waving spear and magic rune 
(While in his heart reigned grief ineffable) 
He wove the spell about her and the flames 



170 Andvari's Rin^ 

Commanded to protect her from all harm. 
Thus for a little time the valkyr stood. 
Then, while the multitude looked on with awe, 
And in amaze stood Gunter and his court, 
The lofty pyre she mounted and, beside 
The corse of Sigurd kneeling, swiftly drove 
A diamond-hilted dagger to her heart. 

XIV 

Thus passed from earth into Valhallan air 
Brynhild, that daughter whom the god supreme 
Above all others loved. A glorious soul 
Clothed in the beauty of the starry night. 

XV 

And side by side upon the lofty pyre 
This noble twain the bearded Norsemen laid — 
Sigurd and Brynhild; and Earl Hakon bade 
The logs be lighted, and a mighty flame. 
Fanned by the wind, sprang up, and in the 

flame 
Swiftly their mortal bodies were consumed. 



INTERLUDE 

Awake, ye shapes heroic, once again! 

Sigurd hath passed — and Brynhild — and above, 

In high Valhalla, linger; but Gudrun 

And all the race Burgundian still remain 

And walk the ways of earth ; and Hagen base, 

With blood-stained spirit, broods beside the 

Rhine. 
And lo, on Hungary's plains, where now doth sit 
Vienna fair, behold a motley mass 
Mongolian, of great Attila the hordes. 
Him likewise sing, Muse, for though uncouth 
Of body, in his Orient soul the flame 
Of genius dwelt, and the fierce instrument 
Of Fate he was our Sigurd to avenge. 



171 



Book II. Attlla 



173 



I 

HAGEN AND ANDVARI 



"Sigurd is dead. The Niblung*s Ring is mine. 
Far from these shores the wandering Norsemen 

now. 
Pestiferous crew. Save that this magic Ring 
They've left me, I could wish their gold-prowed 

ships, 
Their sailors rude and captains insolent, 
Had ne'er disturbed the peace of Burgundy. 
But hist! To the point! The Ring! The 

Niblung's Ring ! 
Ha! Ha! How like a talisman rare indeed, 
A wonder-working thing beyond compare, 
It shines upon my hand. Thou circlet bright, 
Thou baleful serpent with the ruby eyes, 
Now will I test thy vaunted potency! 
Appear, Andvari, servant of the Ring! 
Appear, thou Niblung knave, thy master calls!" 

II 

Thus Hagen, by the swiftly-rushing Rhine 
(What time the midnight brooded o'er the earth) 

175 



176 Andvari's Rin^ 

Communed with his dark soul. Then swiftly 

raised 
The glittering circlet to his bearded lips. 



Ill 



As through the air a radio message flies, 
Needing no wire, by Nature's laws propelled, 
So through the midnight, to the Niblung's cave, 
This message of the knight Burgundian flew, 
Now the possessor of the magic Ring. 
And by a power occult the Niblung dwarf, 
A wizard skilful, mounted to the sky. 
And, like a bird, the silent ether clove. 
Bending his swift flight toward the German 

land. 
Soon o'er the Rhine he hovered; then, like a 

hawk 
Gigantic, swooping suddenly on his prey. 
Descended and the haughty Hagen faced. 



IV 



*' Who calleth me? Who art thou that the Ring 
Possesseth? In the cavern where I toil, 
I and my gnomes, by the far Northern sea, 
I heard thy call and came. Nay, not from choice 
I came, but at the summons of the Ring. 
Who art thou, swarthy shape? Methinks the 
gem 



Ha^en and Andvari 177 

Unwittingly hath worked its curse, and crime 
Hath been committed. Sigurd, where is he? 
How earnest thou by this Ring? Thou that dost 

show 
Sigurd beside, as shows the gloomy night 
Beside the golden ever-beauteous morn. 
Methinks thy hands with Sigurd's blood are 

red." 



Thus scornful spake the Niblung and to him 
Hagen, with accents furious, thus replied: 

VI 

"Cease, dwarf, thy idle talk. What is't to thee 
If Sigurd lives or dies? What is't to thee 
Whose finger wears the Ring since 'tis not thine? 
All else is naught. Why then this empty 

noise? 
He rules the world who holds the Niblung's 

Ring. 
The treasures of that vast abode are his — 
The unmined metals of the Niblung's cave — 
Riches incalculable. This well thou knowest. 
All — all unto the mystic Ring belong. 
Whence comes that power we know not, but we 

know — 
I, thou, and all men — that the Ring's command — 
Implacable as Fate — must be obeyed. 
12 



178 Andvari's Rin^ 

Bring forth thy gold then, that my hungry eyes 
May with each glittering coin disport them- 
selves.*' 

VII 

*'Hagen thou art. I know thee now. A name 
Accurst forevermore. Yet to the Ring 
I yield because I must. Would that once more 
It shone upon my hand ! Alas ! Alas ! 
Perchance some day a woman's palm may hold 
This stolen circlet and a woman's heart, 
That prizes love and justice more than gold, 
May give it back to me. What wouldst thou 
have?" 

VIII 

Thus, sorrowing, spoke Andvari ; and to him 
Hagen, the knight Burgundian, thus replied: 

IX 

"What would I have? A galley filled with 

gold. 
A ship with treasure laden. Aye, not one, 
But many ships. To thy far distant North 
Fain would I go, myself, if youth were mine, 
And see with mine own eyes that wondrous 

Hoard. 
But now? It ne'er can be. Come, mystic 

dwarf. 



Ha^exi and Andvari 179 

A bargain let us make. Every five years 
A galley filled with treasure shalt thou send 
From Thule's shores to Burgundy. Thy gnomes, 
To whom the secrets of the earth and air 
And ocean vast are as an open book, 
Shall man the bark and o'er the boreal seas 
Shall bring the treasure safely to the Rhine. 
I'll trust them, if they come by thy command. 
Easy it is if thou dost say the word." 



To whom the dwarf, with scornful voice, replied: 
*' Greedy as ancient Hreidmar's is thy soul; 
Greedy as Fafnir's; and like theirs shall be 
Thy wretched end. Much gold hath made thee 

mad. 
But 'tis the Norns* decree; those sisters fair 
Who high above the gods of Asgard sit, 
Rose-garlanded, in snowy samite gowned, 
Sweet music singing, yet implacable. 
By them my prayer was heard — my bitter 

curse — 
By them 'twas justified; and though they loved 
Bright Sigurd, yet the tainted gold he held. 
And on him, blind as one of Nature's laws, 
The ancient curse descended and he fell. 
But thou, who didst the son of Sigmund slay — 
The flower of all the North— with dastard hand, 
Robber and murderer base art thou in one; 



i8o Andvari's Rin^ 

And if at aught they can rejoice, those Norns, 
Who do but execute, with heart unmoved, 
And smiling lip, inexorable law, 
Rejoice they will when thou dost meet thy 

doom. 
Aye, aye, the ships I'll send; but ere the first 
Quinquenniad close methinks thy cumbrous 

form. 
Hateful to all men, will have passed away. 
Already, in that desolate abode 
Where dwells the evil-doer after death. 
Pale Hela, goddess of the underworld. 
Hath marked thee for her own and doth devise 
Pains punitive thy many crimes to fit. - 
Aye, whither couldst thou go if not to her 
Whose province is the punishment of sin ? 
Valhalla wants thee not, thou monstrous 

soul. 
There only dwell the good, the wise, the 

great. 
Companions of the bright and blessed gods. 
But thou, of every evil thing compact. 
Downward thy ghost shall wander to its place. 
Upon that shadowy highway which descends. 
Through depths terrene, to Hela's drear abode 
(What time thy soul, by the avenger's sword. 
Is parted from its clay), upon that road, 
Perchance with trembling malefactors chained. 
There next I'll see thee, Hagen, and my voice 
Shall hail thee ere the gates behind thee close." 



Ha^en and j\ndlvari i8i 



XI 



So saying, through the gloomy ether rose 

(As rises into air an eagle vast) 

The Niblung dwarf, and soon was lost to sight. 



XII 



But Hagen only laughed, like Hreidmar old 
And Fafnir, and, upon the fatal Ring 
Gazing with greedy exultation, cried: 
**The gold is mine — at last the gold is mine." 



II 

GUDRUN'S LAMENT 



Now mourned Gudrun for Sigurd many days — 
Days, months and years — and when three years 

had passed 
Still, to her heart, it seemed but yesternight 
Since home they, brought her gallant warrior 

dead. 
But whether dead from accident or plot, 
Through hand of man or tusk of boar, by spear' 
Of murderer base, or terrible assault 
Of wild beast fiercely fighting for his home. 
She knew not. Only this her spirit knew, 
That he who once was hers, was hers no more 
(Not hers, at least, in earth's habiliments, 
Though oft she seemed to feel his presence near) : 
That husbandless she dwelt. One joy alone 
Lighted her life, an infant posthumous, 
A baby boy with Sigurd's golden hair. 
And Sigurd's eyes, and Sigurd's loving ways, 
And on this boy were centred all her thoughts. 
And round him all her hopes and fears revolved, 

182 



Gvidrvin's Lament 183 

E'en as the planets circle round the sun. 
And when, at night, within her silent room, 
She knelt in prayer, communing with the realms 
Celestial, seeking surcease of her woe, 
Oft did it seem to her that Sigurd stood 
Beside her, and full comforted she rose, 
Strengthened in spirit from her orisons. 
And thus, as by her sleeping babe she knelt, 
She sought communion with the loved and lost. 



II 



**Dear one, where art thou gone, who once with 

me. 
In happier days, abode? In what bright. 

heaven 
Where gods and goddesses immortal dwell, 
And golden halls celestial greet the eye, 
Dwellst thou, my Sigurd? Or in what fair land 
Elysian, where the good and great of earth. 
After the toils and troubles of this world. 
Wander in meadows sweet of asphodel, 
Abidest thou? Ah, though fair that land may 

be. 
Though fair and sweet, I know to thee *tis 

naught 
Gudrun without — without thy loving wife. 
Or, per ad venture, still thy gentle ghost 
Beside me dwells, refusing to be gone. 
Protecting me as in the days of old ? 



184 Andvari's Rin^ 

I know not — all is mystery — for a wall 

Hides from our eyes the world beyond the grave. 

And yet, methinks, though by this earthly sight 

Unseen, and by these earthly ears unheard, 

Oft do our loved ones visit us, and oft 

The immortal soul doth with its mate commune. 

Ah, how could it be otherwise when love 

Hath made two spirits one? Perchance, e*en 

now, 
My Sigurd, though bereft of earthly frame, 
Hears me and kneels beside me as of old?" 

Ill 

Thus, mourning for her husband, prayed Gudrun. 



Ill 

CLAUDIUS 



Claudius, the Roman, of great Attlla 
The envoy, waited at King Gunter's court; 
Sent hither by the imperial Hun to seek 
The hand in marriage of the fair Gudrun; 
But, up till now, though thrice ten days had 

passed, 
All unavailing seemed his every plea. 

II 

How came a noble Roman, groomed with care, 
And proud of race, and skilled in phrase polite, 
To be the envoy of the barbarous Hun ? 

Ill 

Captured in battle was he and condemned 
To cruel death; but Attila, by chance. 
Beheld him, and within that savage breast 
Pity upsprang, to kill a youth so fair; 
So freed he was from fetters and became 

185 



1 86 Andvari's Rin^ 

A son, almost, of the wild potentate. 
For Claudius,, filled with gratitude, drew near 
To Attila in spirit and discerned 
(Holp by the lamp of close companionship) 
Beneath the outer mask the inner man, 
Beneath the warrior's will the dreamer's mood, 
Beneath the nomad's helm the monarch's mind, 
And clave, through thick and thin, to Attila. 
And thrice, in furious battle, did he save 
His master's life, and oft in camp and court 
From the assassin's hidden, snake-like blade. 
Him shielded, watching all men like a lynx. 
And Attila, begirt with crafty spies, 
And would-be murderers — all the network base 
Which seeks to trap the ruler of a realm — 
Madmen, fanatics, wild adventurers. 
Villains gold-bought, deemed only Claudius true, 
Whom all the wealth of Indus could not bribe. 
And loved him more and more and, in the end, 
Trusted the Roman and none other soul. 



IV 



Now in his tent beside the Danube sat 

The Hunnish king and, near at hand, with style 

And tablets busy, Claudius silent worked — 

Scribe, counsellor and diplomat in one. 

And ever and anon his task he ceased 

For converse with the king, and then went on. 

And now, the writing finished, Attila called 



Clavidius 187 

For Roman wine and, while they drank, to them 
Otho, a Gothic harper, sang and played. 



Many his themes, but most of all he sang 
Sigurd, the son of Sigmund, and his deeds — 
Pride of the Volsung race — flower of the North ; 
And how he Fafnir slew, the dragon fierce, 
And made the Niblung's mighty Hoard his own; 
And won the mystic Ring that rules the Hoard ; 
And sought, through circling fire, the valkyr 

maid, 
Brynhild, whom Odin, father of the gods, 
Above all others loved; and how, returned 
To Burgundy, the lily maid Gudrun 
He wedded, sister of a noble king; 
And how, at last, deep in the Odenwald, 
Slain by a boar, he fell; but ah, perchance 
'Twas not a boar, but envious enemies 
Who laid him low. So all the people said. 
Dark enemies who slew him as the night 
Blots out the golden vivifying sun. 
Thus sang that Gothic minstrel, from his harp 
Plucking, meanwhile, a weird accompaniment. 

VI 

Then Attila: "Whence gottest thou this tale, 
Harper? Methinks 'tis strange yet beautiful!" 



l88 Andvari's Ring 

VII 

And Otho answered: "At King Gunter's court, 

In Biirgundy, beside the silvery Rhine. 

Here still his sister dwells, the fair Gudrun, 

The lily Princess of a saddened realm, 

With one bright boy, and mourns her murdered 

mate. 
For murdered do I think he was, my liege, 
Slain not by tusk of boar but spear of man.** 

VIII 

And Attila the minstrel praised, and gold 
Gave him, and low he bowed before the king; 
Then lifted up his harp and from the tent 
Passed out, and went upon his wandering way. 
But though no more that bard the monarch saw 
The tale remained, nor could he from his mind 
Dismiss it. Long it haunted him. At last 
To Claudius, friend and counsellor, thus he 
spoke: 

IX 

"The harper's tale doth haunt me. In my 

dreams 
I see the noble Sigurd slain. Methinks 
'Tis true what say the folk. Murdered was he. 
By spear of man and not by tusk of boar 
He perished in the depths of Odenwald. 
By the just gods, this kingly hand of mine, 



Claiidi'us 189 

Though to him stranger, shall his death avenge; 
For all brave men are brothers, and to rid 
The world of evil-doers is their task. 
And this sweet widow — better 'twere, me- 

thinks, 
If she were mine. Another arm she needs 
(Bright Sigurd being gone) her to protect, 
And keep at bay the dastards of the realm. 
For this I fear, if Otho's tale be true, 
The hand that slew her husband threatens her." 



He ceased, and on the yellow Danube gazed 
Silent a space, then suddenly spoke again: 
"In thee, alone, my Claudius, do I trust. 
Go thou to Burgundy, to Gunter's court; 
Go thou and say that Attila the Hun, 
Ruler of half the world and soon to be 
Ruler of all, doth seek the royal hand 
Of Gunter's widowed sister, fair Gudrun. 
Perchance successful wilt thou be, perchance 
Not so ; but this I know, that if the thing 
Can be accomplished thou, and thou alone. 
Canst do it. Go. And may the mystic gods 
Who rule fair women's hearts, grant thee suc- 
cess." 



IV 
THE APPARITION 



Now as, within her chamber, prayed Gudrun, 
At midnight's hour (when oft the dead do walk), 
Kneeling, as was her wont, beside her babe, 
She felt a presence near her and her eyes 
Uplifting she beheld, not far away, 
Drest as he was upon that fatal morn 
When last, a living shape, her wifely eyes 
Had seen him, all accoutred for the chase. 
With spear in hand, the figure of her lord, 
Sigurd, her murdered mate. But pallid now 
That soul-illumined face, by sunny locks 
Enframed, and sad that music-making voice. 
Whose accents well she knew. And thus he 
spoke : 



II 



**Dost mourn for me beloved? ICnow that I 
Do ever dwell beside thee, though to eyes 
Of earth invisible ; know that my arm 

190 



TTHe apparition 191 

Doth ever strive to guard thee, though none see 
Its mystical defence. But to discourse 
With earthly voice, as men and women do, 
To speak with thee as in the days gone by, 
Is seldom granted by the mighty gods. 
Nor is it oft permitted unto souls 
Disbodied and cut off to reappear 
Clothed in the flesh and earth's habiliments, 
E'en as they lived and loved and strove and 

fought. 
But me the almighty gods, compassionate, 
Have granted this rare boon, that I a wrong 
Grievous might to thy innocent ears disclose, 
And, peradventure, might by timely words 
Another wrong, thrice dastardly, avert. 
List ! list ! While hunting in the Odenwald 
(Hagen, thy brother Giselher and myself) 
By Hagen was I slain, his treacherous spear 
Piercing the vulnerable spot o'er which, 
Upon my kirtle, all too carefully. 
Thou, with thy loving hands, a linden leaf 
Didst broider. All approving Giselher stood, 
A partner to the deed. But not of him. 
Thy brother, will I speak. The mighty gods, 
Themselves, will judge his perfidy, not I. 
But Hagen, base, inhuman wretch, 'tis he 
My lips, e'en from the spirit world, denounce. 
Me having slain his avaricious hand 
Tore from my fingers cold the Niblung's Ring, 
Which long his heart had coveted. This ring 



192 Andvari's Ring 

Still doth he hold, and with it doth control 

The countless treasures of the Niblung dwarf, 

Andvari, of whose Hoard these lips of mine 

Have often told thee. Unto thee belongs, 

By right, this Ring; to thee, my widow. Yet 

Fearful am I to see this circlet bright 

Upon thy hand, Gudrun; for on it rests. 

As well thou knowest, Andvari's dreadful curse. 

So let it go — it and its baneful gold. 

But stopped not Hagen here. His evil soul 

More wrong contemplates, and to slay my child, 

My child and thine, seeks opportunity. 

Watch therefore — watch Gudrun, and to the 

gods 
Unceasing pray, that we may save our son, 
For all compact of evil is the soul 
Of Hagen, and in every evil thing 
Delights — the offspring base, abhorrible, 
Of that dark spirit whom the blessed gods 
Banished forever from the realms of light — 
Loki, to whom all wickedness is good." 

Ill 

He ceased and, ere Gudrun could find a voice 

(For motionless in silent awe she knelt) , 

Gone was he, and thrice empty seemed the room. 



V 
GUDRUN'S SOLILOQUY 



**Hagen my husband's murderer! Is it strange 
My heart hath ever hated him? And yet, 
Though vague suspicion oft did point that way, 
The deed was never proved. But now I know. 
Sigurd, my dariing, time it was to speak. 
Thou knewest Hagen's crime and, knowing that, 
Thy spirit eyes have seen where mine were 

blind. 
Thy spirit voice hath warned me. Now I see. 
For Hagen, fearing if his crime were known 
My tongue would rouse the people into wrath, 
Or that my boy, to manhood grown, perchance 
Might learn the dastard story and revenge 
His father's murder, fain would slay us both. 
But even if he nothing feared, still true. 
As in past centuries, is the adage old — 
* The injurer ever hates the injured one, 
The wronger hates the one whom he has 

wronged.' 
Girt round about with secret enemies, 

13 193 



194 -Andvari's Rin^ 

With dangers unsuspected, is my life. 

But where to turn for safety? Ah, the Hun! 

A light breaks over me! As his wife — his 

queen — 
What hand could harm me — me or my dear 

babe! 
Methinks e'en wicked Hagen would be foiled. 
Safe, safe I'd be. Safe, safe. Perchance 'tis 

this 
My Sigurd meant. Methinks his spirit hand 
Pointed this way. Darling, is this thy wish? 
None other can I ever love but thee, 
And never have I dreamed of other mate, 
As well thou knowest, who doth know my 

heart. 
But Attila, he asks not love. My hand 
Alone he seeks, as sovereigns ever do. 
*No, ' hitherto I've said, when Claudius sought 
An answer to his suit ; but now my mind 
Is changed, and changed the current of my 

thought ; 
And * Yes,' tomorrow, shall my answer be." 

II 

Thus did the fair Gudrun with her own soul 
Hold colloquy, seeking to save her son. 



VI 
ATTILA AND GUDRUN 



*'WouLDST know my life, fair bride? I'll tell 

it thee. 
Sit still, and while thou weavest on thy loom, 
And back and forth thy busy fingers move. 
My lips shall weave the story of the past." 

II 

Thus Attila unto the fair Gudrun 
As in her bower they sat — none other near — 
Nor courtier smooth, nor damsel of her train. 
A hanging rare with divers coloured threads 
She wrought, whereon her husband's mighty 

deeds. 
The mighty deeds of Attila the Hun, 
Were broidered; and, as busily she wrought. 
Unto her thus the royal bridegroom spoke: 

III 

*'Knowest thou the East? My spirit's source 
is there. 

195 



196 Andvari's Ring 

Knowest thou the East? There is my spirit's 

home. 
In that far land, in uttermost Cathay, 
Behold the springs from which I draw my life! 
O'er those vast plains which like the ocean roll, 
Illimitable, where the Peiho threads 
His winding way, and flows the Sungari, 
O'er those vast plains, windswept and desolate, 
O'er those mid-Asian wildernesses dun. 
O'er Gobi's sands and by the blue Baikal, 
For centuries did my Mongol forbears roam — 
Uncounted generations — nomads rude. 
Content, ambitionless — naught knowing save 
The lore of flocks and herds, — of sheep and goats, 
Of horses and of cattle; till, at last. 
Dawned a new day momentous when they sensed 
The West; and as a brightly burning lamp 
All wandering things attracts, so Rome drew 

them. 
Then to the setting sun their horses* heads 
They turned, and toward the sunset each day 

rode — 
A million horses by a million men 
Bestrode, with wives and bairns a million more — 
A million men and horses did I say? 
Nay, many millions, a host uncountable — 
Thick as the sands on Gobi's desert waste. 
A motley, slowly-moving mass — a swarm 
Of locusts swallowing up the fertile land 
And leaving desolation in their wake, 



. i\ttila and Gvidrvin 197 

A horde of cruel savages unwashed. 

And thus they rode until the gates of Rome, 

After long years, they reached, and here they 

stopped — 
Here where the yellow Danube barred the way. 
And here, beside the Danube, was I born, 
One of two brothers ; but my brother died, 
Bleda by name, and I was king acclaimed. 
And hence into my hands the Hunnish realms 
Far-reaching came, for from the Danube's flood 
Eastward they stretch unto the ends of the 

earth — 
Cathay the flowery, and the Orient sea. 
For here, where now thou sittest, is Hungary, 
The land of the Huns ; and there, just over there, 
Beyond the yellow Danube's rushing flood, 
Is Rome, the golden mistress of the world. 
Aye, here is Hungary and there is Rome, 
And swift the yellow Danube flows between." 

IV 

He ceased a little space and then went on: 



** Strange is the fate which hath directed us, 
The fate which hath our lives together joined. 
The East and West do meet in us, Gudrun, 
Europe art thou and Asia old am I, 
But, East or West, Love's ways are all the same. 



198 Andvari's Ring 

Thee did I love when thou wast but a dream, 
A vision of the mind, a woeful wraith, 
Born of a wandering harper's tragic tale, 
Who Sigurd sang, and his untimely end, 
And that sweet widow, crushed and desolate. 
Thee did I love, and sought, as lovers will, 
To aid thee in thy danger and distress. 
And therefore sent I Claudius to thy side. 
But now that I have seen thee as thou art, 
How fairer than an angel's is thy face. 
How golden as the sunshine is thy hair, 
How passing sweet thou art, how beautiful, 
I know that more than aught else in this world 
Thou art to me. Tell me, thou dearest one. 
Tell me, if not too painful to thy heart. 
And fitting seems the hour, how Sigurd died." 

VI 

Thus Attila, and thus to him Gudrun: 

VII 

"Deep in the Odenwald he died, my lord. 
Hunting the boar. Aye, home they brought 

him, dead. 
Slain by the boar, they said. But I — my lord — 
I think not so. Slain by a villain base 
Was he, who even now doth seek my life, 
And that of my young child — my baby boy. 
Prove it I cannot — nay, my lord — and yet 
Sure am I as I live that this is so." 



i\ttila and Gxidrviii 199 

VIII 

Thus spoke Gudrun. Then, to her husband's 

plea 
Yielding, she opened all her stricken heart, 
And told him how, as in her bower she knelt. 
At midnight, had the ghost of Sigurd come — 
A pallid wraith from out the spirit world — • 
And to her ears the dreadful truth disclosed. 
How, as within the deepest Odenwald 
They rested, Hagen, Giselher and himself. 
By Hagen was he slain, the treacherous spear 
Piercing the vulnerable spot o'er which, 
Upon his kirtle, had her loving hands 
A linden leaf embroidered. How, well pleased. 
Her brother stood, a partner to the deed. 
How from the hand of Sigurd, e'en ere death 
Had stilled it, Hagen tore the Niblung's Ring 
Enchanted — aye, enchanted, but accurst — 
The mystic Ring which rules the Niblung's 

Hoard. 
How, even now, fearing lest his base deed 
Might be discovered, Hagen sought the life 
Of her, Gudrun, and of her baby boy. 
"Aye, 'twas to warn me that bright Sigurd 

came 
(For whom the almighty gods, compassionate, 
Set on one side the laws of heaven and earth), 
To warn me of my peril imminent. 
Drest as he was upon that fatal morn 



200 Andvari's Rin^ 

When last, a living shape, these eyes of mine 
Had seen him, all accoutred for the chase. 
With spear in hand, so now to me he showed, 
An apparition strange and pitiful." 

IX 

Thus spake Gudrun. Then into bitter tears 
Broke, as upon her husband's breast she laid 
That golden head of beauty exquisite. 

X 

Then Attila: "Tis as the harper said. 

*Tis as my prescient spirit did surmise. 

But safe thou art, my dearest one. Fear not. 

Potent the arm of Attila the Hun. 

Strong to protect and terrible to strike. 

No man of woman born can harm thee now." 



VII 
WESTWARD HO 



''Tomorrow shall we westward move, Gudrun, 
And once again thine eyes shall see the Rhine, 
And Burgundy, thy home. And thou to me 
Shalt show the places thou didst love so well — 
Thy garden where the crimson roses bloom, 
The wooded path beside the silvery Rhine, 
And all the other haunts thy girlhood loved. 
These shall I see; and I shall love them too." 

II 

Thus Attila unto his queen — then rose 
And from her bower passed out upon the plain, 
Now filled with hubbub and confusion loud. 
As for their march his warriors made prepare. 
And soon among his men, so fast he moved, 
The figure of the king was lost to sight. 
And long beside the window sat Gudrun 
Watching the scene, to her so passing strange. 
For far as eye could reach the rolling plain 
Was peopled, and between long lines of tents 
A mighty multitude, unceasing, moved. 

201 



202 Andvari's Ring 

And here were horsemen riding to and fro 
With frantic haste, on varied errands bent; 
And shouting squadrons ready for the fray, 
And wheeling wildly in a mimic war. 
And here were revels gay, of reckless ones 
On whom life lightly sat, and partings sa,d 
Of men from maids, of husbands from their 

wives, 
Of fathers from their children, for behind, 
On Hungary's plain, beside the Danube's wave 
Must womanhood and childhood wait and weep. 
Aye, here were cark and care, and brawl and 

pain, 
And many a tearful eye and breaking heart, 
For though the garb be motley yet a heart 
May beat and break beneath, and of one soul 
Are lord and lackey, servitor and prince. 

Ill 

And thus, beside her window, mused Gudrun. 
*' Ye shapes fantastic, from the Asian steppes 
Far wandering, v\rhither do ye go ? What fate 
Awaits the pleasant land of Burgundy?" 
Thus mused Gudrun as from her bower she 

viewed 
The horsemen fierce of Attila the Hun. 

IV 

And on the morrow, at the break of day, 

Set forth the Hunnish king and toward the West, 



'West'wardL Ho 203 

E'en as his sires had done before him, marched. 
And like the sea when far from land we sail, 
And naught on every side is visible — 
North, south, east, west — but ceaseless-moving 

waves, 
So did the hosts of Attila appear, 
Ceaselessly moving, covering all the plain, 
Rising and falling like the restless sea. 
A myriad horsemen following the sun, 
A myriad lances glittering in the air, 
A myriad waves upon a boundless sea. 
And thus they rode until the Rhine they reached. 
And here they halted, and once more Gudrun 
Beheld the silvery stream she loved so well. 



Then sent the Hunnish king a message forth. 
Greetings to Gunter, King of Burgundy, 
From Attila, the king of kings. And this 
The substance of the message — to a feast 
Was Gunter bidden, he and all his court ; 
For thus the royal Hun his friendly heart 
Would show to one and all in Burgundy. 

VI 

Splendid, methinks, will the occasion be — 
A feast to Gunter, King of Burgundy, 
Tendered by Attila, the king of kings ! 



VIII 
THE HALL OF ATTILA 
(Including Claudius's Story) 



The hall of Attila, the king of kings! 
A Roman palace had it been, but now 
The Hun doth ride where once the Roman ruled, 
And where the togaed praetor dwelt in state, 
Now swarm the horsemen from the Scythian 
steppes. 

II 

The night of nights ! In the great banquet hall 
Burgundian now and Hun together sit — = 
Together sit and in fair concord feast. 
A merry sight it is, yet strange, methinks — 
The East and West in medley mingled here — 
The bold Burgundians, yellow-haired and tall, 
The Hunnish troopers, short and dark, with eyes 
Mongolian, such as by the Orient Sea, 
In far and fabulous Cathay belong. 
Yet side by side the nut-brown ale they drink, 

204 



THe Hall of Attila 205 

And loud the laughter is and gay the song, 
For where old Bacchus leads, a joyous crew 
Follows, and rosy run the sands of time. 



Ill 



High on the dais sitting now behold 
The Hunnish king, a monarch without peer, 
Omnipotent; and by his side his queen, 
Gudrun the beautiful; and near at hand 
Gunter of Burgundy, the honoured guest. 
And likewise Hagen, and the brothers twain, 
Gemot and Giselher; and not far away 
Claudius the Roman ; and on either side. 
Stretching to right and left of the king's seat. 
Great guests innumerable — a glittering host 
Of vassal kings, and Hunnish officers. 
And rulers high, and friends from far and near. 
And many a lady fair. And round the board 
The smoking viands pass, and gay the guests 
Quaff the red wine of Attila the Hun. 



IV 



Now when the buzz and laughter of the feast 
Were loudest, and the rosy wine of Rome 
Freest did flow, upon the oaken board. 
With dagger's jewelled hilt, the Hunnish king 
Thrice rapped, and silence fell upon the throng. 
Then thus spake Attila, the king of kings. 



2o6 Andvari's Rin^ 



**A story let us have. What say ye, friends? 
A tale, perchance, of Burgundy or Rome. 
Our Claudius here shall tell it; for, indeed, 
I know of none upon this earth more skilled 
In song or war, statecraft or fair romance. 
Than Claudius, best and truest of all friends.** 

VI 

He ceased, and Claudius, rising to his feet, 
Thus in reply: "Kind words, my king. Me- 

thinks 
Too good you are to me. Yet if these lips, 
Unfolding some fair story of old Rome, 
Can add aught to the pleasure of this feast, 
Right gladly will they speak." Then Claudius 

thus. 



CLAUDIUS'S STORY 
(C^sAR IN Egypt) 

VII 

Know, knights and ladies, that, though Roman 

born 
Am I, and Roman were my forebears all, 
In Egypt did I pass my early youth, 
For Egypt long hath been of Rome a part. 
Let me, therefore, tonight, a famous tale 
Of Egypt tell, that wondrous, ancient land. 
Whose earliest beginnings no man knows — 
Lost in the mists of prehistoric days. 
For old she was ere Greece and Rome were born, 
And wise her kings, and heaven-inspired her 

priests, 
And filled with learning her philosophers 
Past comprehension, and than any spot 
On earth more celebrated was this land 
For architect and builder, and e'en now 
(Though centuries long have passed since they 

were made 
And all forgotten are their makers' names) 
Sphinxes and pyramids and temples vast 

207 



2o8 Andvari's Rin^ 

Fill all the valley of the sacred Nile, 
Like Nature's works, imperishable. Fixed 
As are the granite bases of the hills. 
And like the hills defying storm and time. 
So all compact of wonders is this land. 
Yet not of ancient Egypt is my tale. 
But rather of a later, modern day, 
When first the Roman came and o'er the Nile 
The shadows of the Roman eagles fell ; 
A later, modern day, when here on earth 
The spirit of the mighty Julius dwelt 
^Among us, the first Caesar, ere the hands 
Of envious assassins dragged him down. 
Aye, here in Egypt did his spirit roam 
(Midst sphinx and pyramid and temple vast). 
With Cleopatra, Egypt's wondrous queen. 
Of him, the great first Caesar, is my tale. 



VIII 



Now, Csesar, having Pompey overthrown, 
To Egypt came; and in that city fair 
By Alexander founded, stayed a space, 
Gathering his legions round him once again. 
For Ptolemy, the king, and the young queen, 
His sister, Cleopatra, strove for power 
Each against other, and discord filled the land 
And civic strife, and Ceesar sent to each 
A summons to appear, that he might weigh 
The merits of the quarrel, but the king 
14 



Clauidi\js's Story 



209 



Still held aloof, and from the youthful queen, 
His sister, Cleopatra, naught was heard. 



IX 



Now as, one day, within his palace sat 
Cassar, in silence labouring at his desk, 
By weighty matters of the state engrossed, 
Alone save for a sunburnt sentinel 
Who at the portals of the chamber stood. 
Voices he heard without ; then in the door, 
After a little space, with measured step 
And military mien, the sentry strode 
And, halting before Csesar, thus to him, 
Like an automaton saluting, spoke: 



**Sire, in the hall a carpet dealer waits. 
Seeking to show his goods — precious are they 
Beyond compare, so do his words aver — 
From Bagdad on the Tigris hath he come — 
Admission to thy presence doth he crave. " 

XI 

Then Cassar, weary of his morning's work, 
And curious to behold the fabrics rare. 
Assented and, forthwith, into the room 
The merchant came, bearing upon his back 
The roll of carpets precious beyond words. 
And precious beyond words they proved to be. 



210 Andvari's Rin^ 

For as the merchant did his merchandise 
Slowly unwind upon the palace floor, 
Behold, hidden within its emerald sheen, 
A maiden like a milky pearl appeared, 
Who, when she Caesar saw, rose to her feet, 
Displaying to his eyes her lovely form. 
Like Aphrodite rising from the sea. 
Then toward the Roman venturing a few steps 
She fell upon her knees and at his feet 
In supplication beautiful remained. 

XII 

Then Cassar to the merchant. "Who is this?*' 
And answered him the other (no merchant he 
But loyal seneschal): "It is the queen. 
The Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, sire. 
Strange may it seem to find her here, but she. 
Albeit a girl still in her teens, doth brook 
No opposition, e'en from such as I, 
Grown grey in the state's service, and this 

scheme, 
Which now thou dost behold, by stratagem 
To reach thy presence and present her case, 
Is hers and hers alone. Hence came we here. 
Obedient am I to the realm, my lord. 
And when my queen doth speak, whatever her 

words. 
My duty 'tis to obey. This have I done. " 
Thus earnestly the loyal seneschal, 
Apollodorus, the Sicilian old. 



Clavidms's Story 211 

XIII 

Then Cleopatra: "Everywhere are spies, 
Assassins, and I feared that to thy house 
Safely I cotdd not come; so at the last 
Apollodorus greatly I besought 
By stratagem to bring me to thy side, 
That I with my own tongue might plead my 
cause. " 

XIV 

Then Cassar: *'Rise, my queen. On this divan 
Be seated. Thus shall Egypt side by side 
With Rome appear. So thou art Egypt's 



queen?" 



XV 



And Cleopatra. "Aye, with Ptolemy, 
My brother, do I share the throne. But now, 
By unwise counsel led, hath Ptolemy 
Declared himself my foe. Methinks if thou — 
(Please pardon me, my lord, for saying it) 
If thou dost wish it, I am Egypt's queen." 

XVI 

Then Cassar bade a palace be prepared 

For Cleopatra, and a retinue 

Of slaves be furnished, that her every wish 

Might be accomplished ; and from her own home 



212 Andlvari's Rin^ 

In Upper Egypt, where she long had dwelt, 
She called her faithful counsellors of state. 
And for her household servitors she sent, 
Who since her birth to her had ministered. 
And Csesar did proclaim her Egypt's queen, 
And bade all men obey her, and dispatched 
Troops against Ptolemy and, in the end, 
A rebel against Rome, the boy was slain. 

XVII 

And long with Cleopatra in the land 
Did Caesar dwell — the land of Egypt old. 
And many a night upon the magic Nile 
They floated, and by day the cities fair 
Explored which fill its valley, and beheld 
The innumerable marvels of the land — 
Memphis the mighty, and Gizeh's pyramids, 
And the great Sphinx, and hundred-gated Thebes, 
Where once in splendour did the Pharaohs reign, 
And still in splendour do their mummies rest. 
And where, beside the river, Memnon sits 
Colossal, and the rising sun salutes 
With mystic music. For a wondrous barge 
Had Egypt's queen, where two-score men and 

ten 
Sat at the oars, and rose a snowy sail 
Of stoutest linen, and upon this sail, 
Broidered in gold and crimson, were displayed 
A lily and papyrus intertwined — 
From immemorial time the royal arms 



Claudi\is*s Story 213 

Of immemorial Pharaohs — symbol fair 

Of Upper and of Lower Egypt linked 

In harmony. And likewise had this barge 

Of Cleopatra cabins manifold, 

For comfort and for ease luxurious planned, 

And sheltered were the decks with awnings fair, 

And on that deck — the uppermost — where free 

The dallying breezes came — high o'er the wave — 

Tables were set and couches for the feast. 

And trained attendants waited and, that naught 

Which helps to pleasure might be missing, here 

Harpers made sweetest music with their harps. 

And many a night, perchance, while hung the 

moon 
Above them, slowly moving through the heavens, 
They revelled till the golden orb grew pale 
Low in the west — behind that pyramid. 
The mightiest and most ancient, which, 'tis said. 
King Cheops built — and vanisht were the stars 
Throughout the heavens, and in the east the sun 
Appeared, rising from out the desert sands 
As from the ocean, and all the eastern sky 
A field of topaz was and amethyst. 
And all the desert red with the new day. 
And lo, as thus, one night, they revelled long. 
Together sitting, and the wine of Rome 
Falernian sipping (between midnight 'twas 
And morning), Caesar, ruler of the world. 
And Cleopatra, Egypt's queen, thus spake 
A sage grey-bearded, standing them before: 



214 Andvari's Rin^ 

XVIII 

*'Four thousand miles, so say the records old, 
This river runs ; four thousand miles it is 
From the blue ocean to its silvery source 
Mysterious. Through this ancient land it 

flows 
Like winding serpent huge, but like a god 
Beneficent it is, for all the land 
Were desert but for Nile. Would I could see 
The fountains fair from which its waters spring ! 
The hidden sources of this wondrous stream ! 
Two lakes there are, so say the travellers old, 
Deep in the equatorial forests set; 
And from the larger lake doth issue forth, 
Through rock-bound doors, the Nile; and close 

at hand. 
Guarding Nile's portals, giant mountains rise, 
Snow-capped. The Country of the Moon 'tis 

called; 
And these are called the Mountains of the 

Moon. 
Why? I know not. Unless it is, my lord, 
Because the moon doth ever shine so bright 
Upon those snowy summits. But, alas, 
Like sirens do they lure but to destroy. 
Many have sought but few have reached this 

goal, 
For thick beset with dangers is the road — 
Dangers and difficulties insurmountable. 



Cla-udius's Story 215 

Six cataracts there are beyond Asswan 

Ere far Khartoum we reach ; and at Khartoum 

Two streams unite, and one of these is Nile, 

And one his tributary; and beyond — 

Beyond Khartoum is mystery. From a land 

Far to the south the mighty river comes, 

But 'tis a land unknown, impenetrable, 

The country of the Ethiopians fierce, 

Where none dare venture without arms. Me- 

thinks 
A god recumbent, with his head enveiled. 
Is father Nile ; for though his puissant limbs 
Are fair to see, yet hidden is his head, 
Veiled from the world through centuries. Would 

that I 
Could lift that veil and for myself behold 
This god's fair head! For though in other 

days 
Have other eyes beheld it, and rejoiced, 
Yet what is that to me since these old orbs. 
Long eager for the sight, have seen it not? 
Could I but stand beside those fountains fair. 
Thrice happy should I die. But he who seeks 
To make this journey perilous time and strength 
Must have — time, strength and gold. Nay, sire, 

for me, 
A dreamer, it is not. But were I thou, 
Caesar, the ruler of the world, this night 
My voyage should begin — this night should be 
The start auspicious of my pilgrimage." 



2i6 Andvari's Rin^ 

XIX 

Thus spake the turbaned sage, and in his eyes 

And in his voice and in his lifted hand 

The fires of youth, long smouldering, woke once 

more. 
And in his speech impassioned was disclosed 
The dream of a long life still unfulfilled. 

XX 

Then Caesar: "Well thou dreamest, greybeard 

sage; 
Aye, well thou speakest. For like thee am I. 
And like thy soul so ever doth mine own 
Adventure seek. The fountains of the Nile! 
The source from which these magic waters flow 
O'er which doth glide our boat! Would that 

my eyes 
Could see that spot — that region of delight ! 
Methinks the nymphs do ever beckon me 
That in those silent lakes abide — those lakes 
High in the mystic Mountains of the Moon 
Like twin pearls set — those lakes miraculous 
Whence spring Nile's waters, on their journey 

long 
Outstarting. For until they reach the sea 
Ne'er do they halt, but through the desert land — 
All nourishing — all blessing — do they flow. 
What sayest thou, my queen? Would that we 

twain 



Claxidius's Story 217 

Together might essay that journey long, 
Together might explore that land of dreams, 
Those realms enchanted? Would that up this 

stream, 
Past far Asswan and Philas's templed isle, 
On — on into that unknown Nubian land, 
For days, weeks, months, aye years we might 

pursue 
Our lingering way? What sayest thou, dearest 

one?" 

XXI ] 

And Cleopatra answered. "Where thou goest, 
There will I go, my lord. E'en to the halls 
Of Sheol's realm, where great Osiris sits 
In judgment o'er the spirits of the dead, 
If thou dost bid me do it, there I'll go. 
How much more joyful then to follow thee 
On this adventure beautiful." Thus spake 
The queen Egyptian, and on Caesar bent 
Her wondrous eyes, those eyes which did in- 
spire 
The kings of earth to battle, or in sweet 
Captivity their spirits did ensnare. 
For of the race of Ptolemy the Greek 
She was, and in her life once more did flower 
That beauty rare which, in an earlier day, 
The lovely Helen bore — she who to Troy 
Led all the Grecian hosts — in arms for her. 



2i8 Andvari's Rin^ 

XXII 

So dreamed the lovers in those magic hours 
'Twixt midnight and the morning, when all 

things 
Thrice easy of accomplishment do seem. 
So dreamed the lovers, but 'twas not to be. 
For ever must the helmsman keep his hand 
Upon the helm or runs the ship awry, 
And ever must the hand of Cassar steer 
The Roman State, or shipwreck follows fast. 
And with the daylight came a Roman knight 
Riding in haste, and signalled to the barge, 
Desiring C^sar, and him Caesar saw, 
And this his message — * * That Pharnaces, son 
Of Mithridates, an old foe of Rome, 
Had trouble-maker turned; and in the land 
Of Asia Minor all the petty kings 
And tetrarchs in rebellion were, and fast 
The fire was spreading, and throughout the 

East 
The rule of Rome was threatened." This and 

more 
That Roman knight disclosed. And Cassar 

rose, 
And swiftly to the land of Syria passed, 
And thence, with legions three, all soldiers good. 
Who had with him in Gaul and Britain served, 
On Asia Minor turned ; and at the town 
Of Zela he Pharnaces overthrew, 



Cla-udi-us's Story 219 

And peace restored throughout the Roman 

realm. 
And yet so swiftly and so easily 
'Twas done that Caisar, to a friend in Rome 
This message, "Veni, vidi, vici, " sent — 
** I came, I saw, I conquered." Then once more 
To Cleopatra and the Nile he turned. 
But never to those fountains wonderful 
Of Nilus did he journey for, alas, 
Short is our earthly life, and in this world 
What we must do, is done; and, often times, 
What most we long to do, undone remains. 

End of Claudius's Story 



XXIII 

Thus Claudius, painting with a loving hand 
This picture of the palmy days of Rome, 
Of the first Caesar, and of Egypt's queen, 
Last of the Greeks and Macedonia's line: 
Thus Claudius, and, in silence for a space 
Sat, gazing into air, as if far off 
Still dwelt his spirit, by the magic Nile 
Wandering, perchance, with Cleopatra near. 
For as, ofttimes, the teller of a tale 
Almost his own identity doth lose 
The while he tells it, and his hero's life 
Becomes his own, and to his hero's deeds 
His own adventurous spirit enters in. 



220 Andvari's Rin^ 

E'en as the actor doth project himself 
Into the part of him he represents, 
So did the soul of Claudius, as his lips 
This story told, of Caesar in the East, 
Take on the portraiture of him he drew, 
That man of men, the flower of ancient Rome 
And all mankind, whose spirit did transcend 
So far the bounds of human excellence 
That, to a wondering world, he did appear 
Not human, but divine; not man, but god. 
Yet, like the Nazarene, by cruel hands, 
Urged on by hearts obdurate, he was slain. 

XXIV 

"A noble tale well told, " quoth Attila, 
And smote his hands together in delight. 
And round the board uprose the loud applause 
Of hands and voice, and many a lady fair 
On Claudius let her soft eyes linger long, 
For comely was he and to be desired 
Beyond all other men in that high hall. 
And when, at last, the loud applause had died, 
Thus to his guests once more the Hunnish king. 

XXV 

**Once on a time, as by the Danube's bank 
We lingered, brother Claudius and myself, 
Before our tent a Gothic harper sang. 
Sad was his song, but in my heart it stayed, 



The Hall of Attila 221 

And there it still remains. And there, me- 

thinks, 
Ever it will remain until I die. 
And through the Hunnish land this harper old 
I sought till I had found him once again. 
And hither did I bring him, and tonight 
Before you shall he sing, my honoured guests. 
And deep into your hearts, perchance, his song, 
Though passing sad, will sink and there remain ; 
E'en as it sank in mine and doth remain. 
My Claudius, wilt thou bid the bard appear? 
Below he is, perchance, in the great hall." 

XXVI 

Then to a lackey Claudius spoke and soon 
Up on the dais came the Gothic bard, 
Otho, with harp in hand; and low he bowed 
Before the king; and like a prophet old. 
With flowing beard and noble countenance, 
He looked; and like a heaven-inspired bard 
He smote the strings, and mystic music rose 
And filled the hall, and sat the guests entranced. 

XXVII 

Then, as before, by Danube's yellow wave, 
Sigurd he sang, the flower of all the North ; 
And how he Fafnir slew, the dragon fierce, 
And made the Niblung's mighty Hoard his own; 
And won the mystic Ring which rules the Hoard ; 



222 Andvari's Rin^ 

And sought, through circling fire, the valkyr 

maid, 
Brynhild, whom Odin, father of the gods, 
Above all others loved; and how, returned 
To Burgundy, the lily maid Gudrun 
He wedded, sister of a noble king; 
And how, at last, deep in the Odenwald, 
Slain by a boar, he fell; but ah, perchance, 
'Twas not a boar, but envious enemies 
Who laid him low. So all the people said. 
Dark enemies who slew him as the night 
Blots out the golden, vivifying sun. 
Thus sang that Gothic minstrel, from his harp 
Plucking, meanwhile, a weird accompaniment. 

XXVIII 

Then Attila. **But whither went the Ring, 
The mystic ruler of the Niblung Hoard? 
Methinks 'tis strange if thing so valuable 
Were lost forever. Knowest thou, harper, 
that?" 

XXIX 

And Otho. *' Nothing do I know, my king, 
But what I say. But here, in Burgundy, 
Surely there must be some who know its fate." 

XXX 

Then Hagen thus, upon whose gloomy face 
Disquietude now sat. "Pardon, my king, 



The Hall of Attila 223 

I crave for this intrusion on thy feast. 
Sad is the harper's tale, and well 'tis known 
In Burgundy, for here Earl Sigurd died. 
Slain by a boar was he in Odenwald — 
An ancient solitary. None than I 
Better can tell the tale, for in the hunt 
Myself took part. All day, from early morn, 
We sought our quarry but o'ertook him not. 
And in the afternoon to a deep glen, 
By chance, we came, Prince Giselher and myself. 
And here, upon the ground, almost a corpse, 
We found, alas, the noble Sigurd stretched. 
But e'er he died the Niblung's mystic Ring 
He from his finger drew and gave to me." 

XXXI 

"Methinks to his fair widow — now my queen — 
The circlet should have gone." Thus Attila. 
"What wantest thou with rings? A spear, 

forsooth. 
With which to kill thy prostrate enemy, 
Would better suit thee. Prithee, lift up thy 

hand. 
Sir Hagen, that we all may see the Ring, 
For filled with curiosity are we." 

XXXII 

Then to Gudrun turned Attila the Hun. 
"My queen, is that the Niblung's mystic Ring 
Which ever on his hand bright Sigurd wore?" 



224 -Andvari's Rin^ 

XXXIII 

Answered Gudrun: "Aye, 'tis bright Sigurd's 

Ring. 
And he who wears it now was Sigurd's foe, 
And Sigurd's murderer. Oh, my lord, alas. 
That he should be alive and Sigurd gone!" 

XXXIV 

Then on the gloomy knight were all eyes bent 
As slowly rose he up and faltering spake. 
*' Surely, my king, this lady, though thy wife, 
Doth accusation false against me bring. 
These princes twain, Gemot and Giselher, 
Can vouch my story true. They, like myself, 
Through the deep wood were seeking the wild 

boar 
When in the shadowy glen we Sigurd found. 
They, like myself, beheld him, ere he died. 
Place in my hand the Niblung's mystic Ring. 
Is it not so, Gemot and Giselher? " 

XXXV 

As shakes a leaf before the rising blast 

So Giselher trembled. *' Aye, 't is so, " he said. 

XXXVI 

But Gemot answered. "Nay, 'tis not the truth. 
Long have I silent been, but now no more 

IS 



TKe Hall of Attila 225 

I'll hold my peace. When into that drear glen 
I plunged, all unaware of murder foul, 
Upon the ground Earl Sigurd I beheld, 
Stretched out in death's embrace, and over him 
Standing, with bloody spear, this basest wretch, 
Hagen. My brother, partner to the deed, 
In silent satisfaction viewed the scene. 
For him alone, because he was my kin, 
I've held my peace; for Giselher's sake alone. 
And then what good to speak? The deed was 

done. 
And naught could bring our Sigurd back to life. 
But now no more the coward will I play. 
On Hagen's head the blood of Sigurd lies. 
Murderer ! B ase villain inexpressible ! ' ' 

XXXVII 

He ceased, and tumult filled the mighty hall. 

XXXVIII 

** Seize him, " cried Attila, " and from his hand 
Remove the Niblung's Ring. Surely a knave 
So base should cumber not the ways of earth." 

XXXIX 

Then on the towering Hagen leaped a score 
Of Huns ferocious, warriors tried and true, 
And from his finger was the glittering Ring 
Torn, e'en as in the fabled days of old 



226 Andvari's Rixi^ 

By Hreidmar from Andvari's hand 'twas torn. 
And from all sides the Hunnish soldiers rushed 
Into the hall and filled it, and a wall 
Of many thousands round about it formed, 
So that completely girt was the great hall. 
And Hagen, bound and held by many hands, 
Cried out with a loud voice, "Give me the Ring! 
Alas, my Ring!" But Attila only laughed, 
Even as ancient Hreidmar once did laugh, 
And on his finger placed the mystic Ring. 
And Hagen, as they bore him to the floor, 
Shrieked out once more with rage, "Thee I defy, 
Thou devilish Hun ! ' ' But cruel fingers tore 
The tongue from out his mouth, and bound he 

was 
With iron chains, and on the floor he lay 
Helpless, to wait the pleasure of the king. 



XL 



Then from the dais came the king's command : 
"Bring forth into the middle of the hall 
Hagen, and strike his head from off his trunk, 
That I, with mine own eyes, may now behold 
Justice, though long delayed, administered, 
And punishment to fit his many crimes 
Inflicted on this most inhuman wretch." 
And out before the dais steps, forthwith. 
All in the middle of the mighty hall, 
Was Hagen brought, and set before the king, 



The Hall of Attila 227 

And from his body huge his head was struck, 
E'en as the king had ordered. And, behold, 
When Giselher saw the sight (either from fear 
Of sharing Hagen's fate, or that the gods 
Had struck him down) , he fell back in his seat, 
Lifeless, and thus, at the same time, the twain 
Perished, and down the shadowy road which 

leads 
To Hela's realms their ghosts together fled. 



XLI 



Then thus spake Attila, the king of kings. 

** A sorry sight is this, my guests — my friends: 

A tragic end to our festivities. 

But like the lightning's bolt, unheralded, 

So fall the bolts of Pate. 'Tis destiny. 

No evil in the end unpunished goes. 

Myself knew not this man. His dastard crime 

Was cloaked on earth with crafty secrecy. 

But all the heavens and the assembled gods 

Beheld the deed, and the impartial Fates 

Decreed his earthly end and punishment. 

Myself am but the human instrument. 

The sword with which the fiat is made good. 

And now, this deed accomplished, must I leave 

Fair Burgundy, and onward into Gaul 

Press swiftly, there mine enemies to face. 

And in thy house, and to thy kingly care, 

My brother Gunter, till I do return, 



228 Andvari's Ring 

Gudrun I leave, Gudrun my wife and queen, 

Dearest of all things upon earth to me. 

For in my dreams a field of dreadful strife 

Ever I see, a carnage terrible, 

Where baffled are the hosts of Hungary. 

A battle ruthless, obstinate, immense, 

Where fights the West against the encroaching 

East. 
And ever do I hear a voice, crying, 
'Beware the plains of Chalons, Attila! 
Beware the plains of Chalons ! ' And, although, 
Perchance these evil harbingers are naught, 
Yet, should I die, in peril were my queen. 
Aye, safer were Gudrun in Burgundy." 

XLII 

He ceased, and thus the banquet wonderful, 
Of Attila the Great, came to an end. 



IX 

GUDRUN AND ANDVARI 



* * Andvari, come ! Hasten, thou Niblung dwarf, 

That I into thy pillaged hands may give 

The mystic Ring, so long from thee withheld!" 

II 

Thus spake Gudrun, beside the silvery Rhine 
Standing, then from her finger drew the ring — 
The golden serpent with two ruby eyes — 
And softly rubbed that glittering band malign. 
And as, today, the radio message flies, 
Needing no wire, by Nature's laws propelled. 
So through the air, to that far Niblung' s cave, 
The message of Gudrun, unaided, flew, 
She the possessor of the mystic Ring. 
And by a power occult the Niblung dwarf, 
A magian skilful, mounted to the sky 
And, like a bird, the silent ether clove, 
Bending his swift flight toward the German land 
Soon o'er the Rhine he hovered, then, like a 
hawk 

229 



230 Andvari's Rin^ 

Gigantic, swooping suddenly on his prey, 
Descended till, upon the river bank, 
Where waited Attila's fair queen, he stood. 
Her seeing, low he bowed with reverence deep. 

Ill 

** Me didst thou call, fair lady? Happy am I 
That on thy finger shines the Niblung's Ring! 
The mystic ruler of the mighty Hoard ! 
Thrice happy that by Hagen's blood-stained 

hand 
No more 'tis held. And thou — thou art Gudrun? 
Thou art bright Sigurd's widow? Aye, 'tis 

true." 

IV 

"Bright Sigurd's widow? Aye, 'tis true. And 

now 
Of Attila, the Hunnish king, the wife. 
But thee from out thy Northland did I call, 
Andvari, not for gold or precious stones 
Or fabrics wondrous of the Niblung Hoard, 
But to set right, at last, a grievous wrong. 
Long years ago committed. To return 
To thee, at last, thy Ring. I want it not. 
Enough have I. Enough of gold and power." 



"Lady, dost mean it? Potent is the Ring — 
Imperial — ruler of the golden Hoard." 



G\idr\iii and Andvari 231 

VI 

Thus spoke the Niblung, but Gudrun replied: 

VII 

** Precious it is — all potent — wonderful — 
But stained with blood and redolent of crime. 
On Hreidmar's hand, on Fafnir's dragon-claw, 
On Hagen's hateful fingers has it been. 
Accurst it is. Ah no, I want it not." 

VIII 

So saying, in Andvari's palm she placed 
The shining band that rules the Niblung's 
Hoard. 



FINALE 

O TALE heroic! Of my wandering youth 
(Sea-tost e'en like the youth of Sigmund's son) 
The dream thou wast ; and fuller manhood strove 
Thee to embody in befitting verse. 
Now finished is the task, which long hath been 
The solace of my grey, declining years. 



232 



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